A Department of State Services (DSS) operative has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that several victims rescued from the 2022 Abuja–Kaduna train attack submitted written complaints to the agency against alleged terrorist negotiator, Tukur Mamu.
The operative, who appeared as the sixth prosecution witness (PW-6) in Mamu’s ongoing terrorism trial, disclosed this on Thursday while testifying before Justice Mohammed Umar. The witness spoke from behind a protective screen during cross-examination by defence counsel, Johnson Usman, SAN.
In response to questions from the defence, the DSS investigator confirmed that some rescued victims, including the wife of the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Jaji, lodged complaints against Mamu. He added that the complaints were made in writing.
Counsel to the DSS, David Kaswe, urged the court to prevent the defence from asking questions that could expose the identities of protected victims and witnesses. Usman, however, argued that none of the individuals mentioned were witnesses before the court and that a trial conducted in camera should not prejudice the defendant.
The witness further told the court that he interviewed six victims during the investigation, none of whom were interviewed in Mamu’s presence. He also stated that he was not a vocologist and had no formal training in sound analysis, but confirmed that an audio exhibit tendered by the prosecution was an extract from a transcribed conversation allegedly between Mamu and the terrorists.
Under cross-examination, the witness said former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd.), was not interviewed during the investigation, but confirmed that General Abdulkadir Abubakar was interviewed outside the presence of the defendant. He also confirmed interviewing Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi and General Jalingo, both without Mamu being present. He said he did not interview Major General Idris Garba or a Defence Military Intelligence officer, Hannafi.
The DSS operative further confirmed that members of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Committee were not interviewed in the presence of Mamu, despite the defendant’s request for a face-to-face interrogation with them. According to the witness, the request was not granted.
The witness also told the court that Mamu claimed to be a publisher of a newspaper and magazine and said his income was derived from journalism. He added that the DSS investigated the claim.
At the close of the cross-examination, prosecution counsel informed the court of the intention to close the prosecution’s case. Defence counsel, however, requested time to fix a date to open the defence, stating that they would not file a no-case submission.
Justice Umar adjourned the matter until April 23 for the defendant to open his defence.
