‘Terrorism’: Tukur Mamu prays court for bail, declares he needs surgery.

The Nigerian government has lined up no fewer than four witnesses to testify against alleged terrorists.’

Negotiator Tukur Mamu, in a 10-count charge filed against him.

This was made known by Aderonke Imana, an Assistant Chief State Counsel, Federal Ministry of Justice, while speaking before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, shortly after Mamu was arraigned.

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Mamu, who pleaded not guilty to the 10 counts and denied having allegiance to the terrorists, prayed for bail on the grounds of ill health.

Following a plea of not guilty, Mamu asked the FG’s lawyer how many witnesses would be called.

“We have four witnesses, my lord, and they are within the court’s jurisdiction, though some are in Kaduna,” she said.

Sani Katu, SAN, then told the court that a bail application dated March 8 and supported by a 21-paragraph affidavit, an exhibit with a written address, had been filed, where the issue of bail was captured.

The senior lawyer, who also said a better affidavit had been filed, urged the court to grant his client the constitutional right of bail.

He said though the prosecution served on them a counter affidavit in opposition to the bail plea this morning, he argued that an issue of bail was at the court’s discretion. Katu said besides, Mamu was suffering from a disease that required medical surgery.

“I don’t think much can be done in DSS (Department of State Services) custody,” he said. In opposing the FG’s lawyer, Imana prayed to the court to dismiss Mamu’s bail application.

She adopted the counter-affidavit dated March 21 with a written address and exhibits filed to disagree with the bail plea. The lawyer argued that the DSS could take care of Mamu’s medical condition, urging the court to dismiss the application.

Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter to a date that would be communicated to the parties for a ruling on the bail plea. That judge, however, ordered Mamu to remain in the DSS custody pending the hearing and determination of the bail application.