A Department of State Services (DSS) witness has told a Federal High Court that alleged terrorism negotiator, Tukur Mamu, received N50 million from Shugaba, the leader of the group behind the March 2022 Abuja–Kaduna train attack and kidnapping.
Mamu is currently being tried on several terrorism-related charges, including allegedly collecting ransom money from families of abducted passengers, handling terrorist funds, obstructing the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) negotiation committee, and exchanging voice notes with a Boko Haram spokesperson.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, the sixth prosecution witness explained to the court that the terrorists had also asked Mamu to guide them on how to create a website for their operations.
The DSS further alleged that Mamu encouraged the group to negotiate directly with victims’ relatives rather than with the CDS committee set up by the federal government.
The witness gave his testimony while translating audio recordings of Mamu’s interrogation in Egypt before his extradition to Nigeria.
In a separate legal move, Mamu has filed a suit against the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), for labeling him a “terrorist.”
He argues that such designation violates his fundamental rights, especially as he is still on trial and presumed innocent under Nigerian law.
The court adjourned the case to February 23, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses regarding the application and relevant constitutional provisions.
