The Abuja -Kaduna Train abducted passengers negotiator, Mohammed Tukur Manu standing trial for terrorism offences has applied to the Federal High Court Abuja to transfer him from the custody of the Department of the State Service (DSS) to Kuje Correctional Centre.

Manu is facing a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism including terrorism financing. The initial negotiator for the release of the abducted Kaduna – bound Train passengers kidnapped on March 28, 2022 has anchored his request on health grounds.

He was arraigned before the court on March 21, 2023 but pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The defendant on Monday pleaded with the trial court judge, Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo to vary the remand order against him for a remand at Kuje prison instead of DSS custody.

Mamu made the request through his lawyer, Abdul Mohammed, SAN. He alleged that the order of the court made on December 19, 2023 that he be allowed access to his personal physician for medical treatment was not complied with by DSS.

In his motion on notice argued by Mohammed, the former abducted hostages negotiator who saw the release of some hostages claimed that he was allowed access to the physician once during which a report of comprehensive medical examination to be carried out on him was submitted to the DSS.

Since the submission of the report, Mamu alleged that the physician had not been allowed to access him and that he needed urgent surgical operations in any hospital in the county.

The defendant further claimed that his health had since deteriorated and that he may lose his life any moment if he was not moved out of DSS custody to Kuje prison.

He promised regular attendance at the trial in the terrorism charges adding that he can only stand trial when alive.

There was however a mild drama at the proceeding when a federal government lawyer, David Emmanuel Kaswe who was billed to respond to Mamu’s request suddenly disappeared in the court room without any excuse or notification .

The situation forced the court to stand down the proceeding for over one hour, however, when the proceedings reconvened the prosecution counsel did not show up.

Justice Ekwo who expressed shock over the attitude of the lawyer to the court said “Iam aware that the prosecution counsel was in this court room this morning.

“The miracle of his disappearance is however beyond my understanding. This court stands on the side of justice and the antics of the prosecution will be tolerated for today’s proceeding only”.

Justice Ekwo invoked the rule of the court and ordered that the processes filed by the lawyer against Mamu’s application be deemed adopted.

The Judge subsequently fixed May 20 for ruling on whether to move the defendant out of DSS custody to Kuje prison or not.

It will be recalled that Mamu was arrested at the Aminu Kano International Airport upon his arrival from Egypt on September 6, 2022, over his alleged relationship with the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28, 2022.

Culled from Daily Times Nigeria