Mamu spent ransom share on cars, luxury trips – DSS

Mamu

An operative of the Department of State Services on Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that alleged terrorist negotiator, Tukur Mamu, bought cars and sponsored foreign trips for himself and family members after allegedly helping bandits to negotiate ransoms and got a share.

Testifying behind a screen, the sixth prosecution witness said Mamu started living above his means after he allegedly received proceeds from the Abuja–Kaduna train attack negotiations.

Under examination-in-chief led by the DSS counsel, David Kaswe, the witness told the open court, “During the cause of the negotiations the defendant’s lifestyle suddenly changed and he was living way above his means”.

Under cross-examination by the defence counsel, Johnson Usman (SAN), the witness detailed the alleged lifestyle change, stating that Mamu travelled with four family members he sponsored to Egypt, where he was arrested, and also bought two cars during the negotiation period.

Usman had asked, “You talked about the lifestyle of the defendant changing as one of your findings. Can you specifically tell the court those lifestyle you noticed changed?”

Responding, the witness said, “The defendant was arrested in company of four of his family members whom he sponsored on a trip. The defendant also bought two cars during the period of the negotiations.”

The defence, however, argued that the witness did not know the defendant or his net worth prior to the train attack incident.

The defence said, “Confirm to My Lord that before 28 March 2022 you have never had a personal encounter with the defendant.”

In response, the witness said, “Yes, My Lord.”

The defence counsel added, “And since you did not have personal encounter with the defendant, I will be correct to say that you did not know the defendant’s net worth.”