A Federal High Court in Abuja was told Tuesday that Tukur Mamu, accused of facilitating terrorist activities, allegedly received N50 million from the mastermind of the 2022 Abuja–Kaduna train attack.
The payment, according to the Department of State Services (DSS) witness, came directly from a figure identified only as ‘Shugaba’ and was tied to the group responsible for abducting train passengers.
Moreover, the DSS witness told the court that investigators believe the transaction was part of a broader pattern linking Mamu to the kidnappers’ operations.
“Our findings show that these financial flows were inseparable from the attackers’ activities,” the witness said, highlighting the alleged depth of the accused’s involvement.
Furthermore, prosecutors claimed Mamu went beyond the boundaries of journalism, acting as a conduit for ransom funds collected from victims’ families and disrupting official negotiation channels set up by the Chief of Defence Staff.
The witness also revealed that Mamu reportedly communicated directly with Boko Haram’s spokesperson via audio messages, raising concerns about his role in supporting terrorist operations.
Further testimony suggested that the terror group sought Mamu’s advice on establishing an online platform.
Investigators said the suspects requested his “technical help” to create a website for their operations, which the DSS argued shows Mamu’s alleged operational support extended beyond financial transactions.
“The level of access he had to these actors was extraordinary,” the sixth prosecution witness added, stressing that multiple conversations and financial movements traced by the DSS point to active collaboration between Mamu and the militants.
The trial is expected to continue with cross-examination as the prosecution seeks to establish a detailed chain of communications and payments.
Meanwhile, observers say the outcome of this stage could shed light on whether Mamu played a central role in coordinating the network behind one of Nigeria’s deadliest train attacks.