The trial of Tukur Mamu, publisher of Desert Herald, has commenced before a federal high court in Abuja.
Mamu was arraigned in March by the office of the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism.
However, in March, he pleaded not guilty to all the counts and denied having allegiance to the terrorists.
When the matter was called on Friday, E.A. Kaswe, counsel to the federal government, told the court that their witnesses were present.
Kaswe then prayed the court to enforce the witness protection order granted to the prosecution on Wednesday.
“May I humbly ask the court to enforce the order granted for all parties not party to the suit to vacate the court,” he said.
Inyang Ekwo, the presiding judge, had on Wednesday, granted an ex parte application seeking to protect the prosecution witnesses.
In the motion, the federal government had prayed for an order “excluding persons other than parties and their legal representatives at the hearing of the above-named charge except members of the accredited press”.
“An order of this honourable court vacating the courtroom whenever the prosecution witnesses are coming to testify,” the motion reads.
“An order of this honourable court shielding the physical identity of the prosecution witnesses by wearing facial masks and or the use of screen whenever prosecution witnesses are testifying.
“An order of this honourable court directing the use of pseudo names by prosecution witnesses and deleting the real names and addresses of prosecution witnesses throughout the proceedings of this case.”
Consequently, at the court session on Friday, Ekwo ordered non-parties in the suit, including accredited journalists to vacate the courtroom.
Mamu is alleged to have received $120,000 as ransom payments on behalf of the Boko Haram terrorist group.
The monies were said to have been received from families of hostages kidnapped during the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
He was also accused of exchanging voice note communications relating to the hostages with one Baba Adamu, a Boko Haram spokesperson.
The federal government also tagged the $300,000 found in Mamu’s possession after his arrest, as terrorist funds.
Mamu, an aide to Ahmad Gumi, a popular Islamic cleric, was involved in negotiations for the release of the passengers abducted during the attack on a Kaduna-bound train in March 2022.
Source: Top Stories
