Kaduna-based publisher Tukur Mohammed Mamu is considering legal action against the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), for accusing him of being a terrorism financier.
The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) released a document stating that Mamu was involved in financing terrorism by handling ransom payments of over $200,000 US to support ISWAP terrorists in exchange for hostages from the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
Mamu’s lawyer, J.J. Usman (SAN), sent a letter dated March 25, 2024, to the NFIU demanding a retraction of the publication within seven days or else face a lawsuit.
Mamu believes that being labeled a “terrorist financier” by the Nigerian Sanctions Committee is defamatory and goes against natural justice.
“It is a common knowledge that the administration of criminal justice system in Nigeria is not only antithetic to, but forbids media trial in whatever guise,” he said.
Mamu is currently on trial by the Federal Government for allegedly helping the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022.
Mamu was charged with 10 counts of terrorism-related offenses after being stopped in Cairo, Egypt, while traveling to Saudi Arabia.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
