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Kaduna train attack: Absence of witness stalls Tukur Mamu’s trial

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By Francesca Hangeior

The trial of Tukur Mamu, the “terrorist negotiator”, was on Tuesday, stalled due to the absence of the witnesses in court.

The trial was scheduled to proceed before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

However, when the matter was called, counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), David Kaswe, informed the court of their challenge.

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Kaswe said though the prosecution still had three more witnesses to call to establish its case against Mamu, he said the next witness, who had already been prepared to testify, told them last night that he would not be able to come to Abuja.

The lawyer further said that another witness who would have given his evidence and tendered the exhibits in the case could not come because the exhibits keeper was not around.

“This is the challenge we have my lord,” he said, seeking an adjournment.

Responding, Johnson Usman, SAN, who appeared for Mamu, expressed sadness over the development.

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The senior lawyer, who did not oppose Kaswe’s application for adjournment, however informed the court of their complaints.

Usman alleged that his client, a Muslim, had not been allowed to go for his prayer since he was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS).

He also alleged that Mamu’s relatives were being prevented from seeing him against the court order.

Besides, the lawyer said though the court ordered that his client should be allowed to have access to a doctor of his choice, he said after his doctor prescribed a BP Digital Kit for his client, the DSS officers refused to allow the family come with equipment.

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He said even though the security agency insisted that the device would be provided for the defendant, they were yet to do that.

Justice Ekwo, therefore, directed the prosecution and the defence lawyers to work together and report back to the court within seven days on the step taken to resolve the issues.

The judge adjourned the matter until May 6, May 7 and May 8 for continuation of trial.

It could be recalled that the Federal Government had, on March 21, 2023, arraigned Mamu for allegedly aiding terrorist operations in the country.

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He was arraigned on a 10-count terrorism charge but pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Kaduna-based Islamic scholar was accused of collecting various sums of money in different currencies from families of victims of the train attack, on behalf of the Boko Haram terrorists sect.

The federal government told the court that investigations revealed that the defendant collected an aggregate sum of $420, 000 from families of the victims, as well as N21 million from another set of families of the train attack.

It further alleged that Mamu concealed funds he earned from services he rendered to the terrorist organisation, in his residence in Kaduna State.

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It told the court that the defendant had sometime in 2022, in Kaduna State, received ransom payments in the sum of N500, 000 on behalf of the Boko haram terrorist group, from families of the train attack that were held as hostages.

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Delta Police Arrest Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Arms, Ammunition

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The Delta State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in their fight against crime, arresting suspected kidnappers and armed robbers while recovering a cache of weapons, including AK-47 rifles, a pump-action gun, a Beretta pistol, and a significant quantity of ammunition.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, SP Edafe Bright, in a statement on Tuesday, said on March 26, 2025, operatives of the CP Special Assignment Team, led by ASP Julius Robinson, tracked down a suspected kidnapper, Chedeye Mohammed, in Rivers State.

Acting on intelligence, officers pursued the fugitive and arrested him at around 6:20 PM. During interrogation, Mohammed led the team to a bush near a trailer park in Rivers State, where they recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with thirteen rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.

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Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect and his gang were responsible for multiple kidnappings in Ughelli, Agbarho, and other parts of Delta State, using Rivers State as a hideout. Efforts to apprehend other gang members are ongoing.

In another major operation, officers acting on credible intelligence launched a sting operation in Anyangba Town, Kogi State, where they arrested three suspects: Zakari Mohammed (31) from Olugbujo Community, Ibrahim Mumuni (29) from Anyangba Town, and Mohammed Hamisu (25) from Anyangba Town, all in Dekina Local Government Area (LGA).

A search of their residences led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and an automatic pump-action gun. Further investigations led to the arrest of another suspect, Samaila Mohammed (35) from Udo Community, Dekina LGA, who was found in possession of a Beretta pistol loaded with three rounds of live ammunition and cartridges. All suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.

In another development, on March 25, 2025, at approximately 6:20 PM, security operatives arrested Emu Lucky (35) in Olomoro Community, Isoko South LGA. A search of his residence uncovered eighty-two rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

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Preliminary investigations indicated that Lucky was supplying ammunition to kidnappers in collaboration with Mohammed Bellow, a suspected criminal already in police custody.

Bellow allegedly acted as a middleman, facilitating the sale of weapons between Lucky and various criminal groups. Both suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.

According to Edafe Bright, Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, assured residents that law enforcement would sustain its momentum in combating crime.

He reiterated his commitment to fulfilling the mandate set by the Inspector General of Police, ensuring that all residents of Delta State can sleep peacefully without fear of criminal activity.

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CP Olufemi also called on the public to support the police by providing valuable information and maintaining close cooperation with security agencies.

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Kogi Central constituents jubilate as Senator Natasha arrives home+Photos

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Infoemtion from Kogi Central zone indicate that the country home of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at Ihima is agog.

A report by a witness circulated on social media stated: “I live at a close distance to Natasha house. She has a very large compound that can take hundreds of people.

In my opinion, all the activities going on are within her expanded mansion. I really do not see any reason for (any) attack so long all her fans do not go to the extreme.

“At the same time, the situation is not as ugly as being painted outside. They may have advised her to remain within her jurisdiction to prevent outsiders from using her home coming to create violence in central.

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“In all honesty, I still see some level of good character from the government of the day.

“Unless something happens later today, I can say everything is smooth and fine.

“I see security personnel going everywhere peacefully without harassing anybody. I am reporting from a close distance.

“Though, I could see a helicopter hovering around her house possibly she is now flying back to her base. Peace will reign by the grace of God in Kogi state.”

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Report that filtered in about 3 pm that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan beat off security adversaries in Kogi State.

She flew a helicopter into her country home in Kogi Central and hosted a rally in her expansive premises.

She reportedly rubbished the state government’s ban on rallies and congregations targeted at her.

While she was interacting with her constituents, after arriving home by air, thugs were reportedly waiting for her arrival through all road accesses into Kogi State.

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Edo Gubernatorial Election Tribunal Announces Ruling Date(Tomorrow)

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The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has scheduled its judgment for Wednesday, April 2, 2025, according to.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the 2024 election. Okpebholo triumphed over Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).

The tribunal had reserved judgment in the petition filed by the PDP and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who are challenging Okpebholo’s victory. They are alleging electoral irregularities such as over-voting, ballot non-serialization, improper collation, and computation errors.

Throughout the hearings, the petitioners called 19 witnesses and subpoenaed a Senior Technical Officer from INEC’s ICT department, who presented 154 BVAS machines to support the over-voting claims.

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INEC, Okpebholo, and the APC are the first to third respondents in the case marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024. INEC did not call any witnesses to counter the petitioners’ claims. Okpebholo called one witness, while the APC called four before closing their defense.

The tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, announced that the judgment date would be communicated to all parties by the Secretary of the tribunal.

During the hearings, the petitioners’ lead counsel, Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN), formally adopted their final written address. INEC’s counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), argued that the case lacked merit and urged the tribunal to dismiss it, pointing out that the petitioners’ polling unit agents had signed the result sheets and could not distinguish between what they heard and observed.

Agabi further criticized the petitioners for failing to present alternative results or credible evidence to support their claims, describing the allegations of non-compliance as weak. On behalf of Okpebholo, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) emphasized that the APC candidate won through valid votes, countering the petitioners’ claims about non-serialization of materials and over-voting.

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APC’s counsel, Emmanuel Ukala, also adopted the final address, stating that the petitioners failed to provide enough witnesses to support their case and criticized their limited focus on just five polling units out of over 4,000 in the state.

In response, petitioners’ counsel, Ken Morzi (SAN), clarified that their complaints were confined to 765 polling units and argued that the case should be assessed comprehensively, not just by the percentage of contested polling units. He stressed that their primary issue was with the transformation of 25 votes into 525 at the collation centers.

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