FG, in the charge it entered before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, alleged that Mamu aided terrorist operations in the country.
The Kaduna-based Islamic scholar was further accused of collecting various sums of money in different currencies from families of victims the train attack, on behalf of the Boko Haram terrorists sect.
FG further alleged that Mamu concealed funds he earned from services he rendered to the terrorist organization, in his residence in Kaduna State.
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.
More so, in the charge that was signed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, DPPF, Mr, M.B. Abubakar, FG added that the defendant exchanged voice note communications with one Baba Adamu, identified as spokesperson of the Boko Haram, in relation to acts of terrorism.
It maintained that the defendant acted in breach of the Terrorism Prevention, Prohibition Act, 2022.
Meanwhile, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge, even as he prayed the court, through his lawyer, Mr. Mohammed Ndanusa, to release him on bail pending the determination of the case against him.
Ndanusa told the court that his client was suffering an ailment that would require urgent surgical operation.
Besides, he argued that he ought to be allowed to enjoy the right of presumption of innocence guaranteed to him by the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
However, FG’s lawyer, Mrs. Aderonke Imana, who had earlier requested for a trial date, opposed the bail application.
The prosecution counsel insisted that the medical team of the Department of State Service, DSS, were capable of handling any ailment the defendant was suffering from.
After he had listened to both parties, trial Justice Inyang Ekwo deferred his ruling on the bail application.
However, the trial judge gave the DSS the nod to further retain the defendant in its custody, pending the determination of his request for bail.
It will be recalled that Mamu was on September 6, 2022, arrested at Cairo, Egypt, while he was on his way to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj with his family members.
He was subsequently brought back to the country and immediately taken into custody by the DSS which subsequently obtained a detention order against him.
DSS had in an affidavit that was deposed to by one of its operatives, Hamza Pandogari, told the court that Mamu, who is the publisher of Dessert Herald, used the cover of journalism to perpetrate his deeds.
It told the court that the detained publisher was on his way to attend a clandestine meeting with top terrorist commanders, when he was intercepted in Egypt through the help of the International Police, Interpol.
It alleged that preliminary investigations revealed that Mamu may be involved in terrorism financing.
“The self acclaimed Kaduna train negotiator exploit the opportunity to perpetrate, aid and abets as well as render support to both local and international terrorist organisations.
“That the respondent was intercepted by the Nigerian foreign partners at Cairo, Egypt, on 6th September, 2022, while on his way to Saudi Arabia for a clandestine meeting with commanders and top leaders of terrorists organisations across the globe.
“That upon his interception, and subsequent repatriation back to Nigeria, a duly signed search warrant was executed in his residence and office at No. 4, Ali Ladan Street, Sabon Kawo GRA and No. 14, Mamona Road, Anguwan Sarki, Kaduna State and various exhibits and items to establish his complicity with terrorists were recovered”, the affidavit read.