News
Tukur Mamu: From Negotiator To Suspect
By Mahmud Jega
Kaduna-based Desert Herald newspaper publisher Tukur Mamu’s quick transition from hostage negotiator to state security detainee was not very difficult for keen observers to foresee. Since February this year, when terrorists stormed an Abuja-Kaduna bound train and made away with dozens of hostages, Mamu has been in the daily spotlight as the man trusted by the terrorists to conduct negotiations between them, government and the families of hostages. While Ansaru hostage takers trusted Mamu, it was evident from the beginning that government had no faith in him as an honest broker.
It was very dangerous work. To begin with, no one should appoint himself as a hostage negotiator, especially where deadly terrorists such as Ansaru are involved. It is a job that anyone should undertake very reluctantly, at the urging of all sides in the drama. Usually, it is institutions such as the Red Cross that undertake this role, because of their acclaimed neutrality. Even Red Cross does not rush in to offer itself for this role.
Then there are rules. Hostage negotiation is undertaken secretly and confidentially. Details of terrorists’ demands and the alleged deadlines they issue should not be for public consumption, unless they themselves find another way to broadcast it to the public. Otherwise, there is a thin line between hostage negotiation and serving the terrorists’ propaganda aims. For example, to announce to the public with alacrity that the terrorists will soon begin to kill the hostages is to whip up public feelings in order to put pressure on the government to accede to the terrorists’ demands.
That is not a very responsible thing to do. There are a thousand and one reasons why government should not accede to the terrorists’ demands to release their captured commanders, not the least because they will immediately seize another set of hostages and make more demands. Of course for the hostages’ family members, no price is too high to pay to get their loved ones released, but government must look at the larger picture.
Since this matter will soon end up in court, according to the Department of State Services spokesman, we should not dwell into the substance of the allegations being made against Mamu, including the said discovery of military accoutrements, huge sums of money in various currencies as well as details of financial transactions said to have been found in his abodes.
The security service’s method of arresting Mamu however left some unanswered questions. Why was he allowed to board a plane from Kano, with many family members, only to be arrested in Egypt and deported back to Nigeria? Maybe DSS has a good explanation for that.
Hours after he was whisked away as his plane landed in Kano, agents raided his office and house and said they found a lot of incriminating material. Such raids were better conducted while Mamu was around. Otherwise, some people will say that cops are known to plant things in a suspect’s house, only to raid it and “find” them. Quite often when the police parade [dead] armed robbers and display weapons said to have been recovered from them, some people think that the weapons could have been planted. The most notorious such case was the case of the Apo Six in 2003.
Already, DSS is spreading the dragnet and other suspects were being picked as at Friday, including Mamu’s father-in-law. There will be no public sympathy in Nigeria for anyone found to have been involved with or to have profited in any way from terrorism and hostage taking. Suspects should have their day in court, even though it is understandable if the public does not get to see all the evidence for security reasons.
Culled from Quick commentary in 21st Century Chronicle, Friday, September 9, 2022.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo in a dispute over the party’s candidates emerging from the Benue State APC primaries for the 2027 general election.
The order was made on Thursday by Justice Inyang Ekwo during proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, filed by Engr. Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved APC candidates from Benue State against the APC and INEC.
The plaintiffs had, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, 2026, sought six interim reliefs, including an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates in Benue State through its June 29, 2026 correspondence, or any subsequent communication, to INEC, pending determination of the substantive suit.
They also sought an order compelling the APC to immediately transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during the primaries monitored by the electoral commission.
When the matter first came up on July 8, 2026, the court declined to grant the interim application immediately, directing both APC and INEC to appear and respond before any decision was taken. The matter was adjourned to July 16.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel representing the APC and INEC were present in court, while the plaintiffs were represented by Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, alongside his legal team.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that since issues had been joined by the parties particularly with INEC now before the court, the defendants were required by law to preserve the subject matter of the litigation pending determination of the substantive suit.
When counsel to the plaintiffs urged the court to caution APC and INEC against taking any further action that could affect the disputed list of candidates, the judge responded that it was “not a matter of advice but of law,” stressing that the defendants were bound to maintain the status quo.
The court consequently restrained APC and INEC from taking any action capable of altering the disputed list of candidates pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The defendants did not object to the restraining order.
At the commencement of proceedings, the court noted that all parties had voluntarily submitted to its jurisdiction by duly filing and exchanging their respective processes.
It held that there was no procedural or jurisdictional impediment to the expeditious determination of the substantive action, and directed that the matter be heard without further delay.
In furtherance of the objective of preserving the res and safeguarding the efficacy of the judicial process, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit, restraining any act or omission capable of prejudicing the rights of the parties or rendering the proceedings nugatory.
The court further directed that INEC be served forthwith with the originating and all consequential processes.
The effect of the subsisting order is that INEC is restrained from tampering with the existing list of candidates pending final determination of the suit, and from receiving, recognising, or acting upon any purported substituted list of National Assembly candidates from Benue State submitted by the APC.
The matter was adjourned to July 21, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former First Lady Patience Ibifaka Jonathan recently celebrated a significant family milestone as they attended the graduation ceremony of their son, Ariara Goodluck Jonathan, at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
The proud parents joined family members and well-wishers to witness Ariara receive his degree, marking the successful completion of his academic programme. The occasion was filled with joy as the Jonathan family commemorated the achievement, highlighting the importance they place on education and personal development.
The graduation ceremony attracted warm congratulatory messages from friends, associates, and admirers, who wished the graduate continued success in his future endeavours.
The Following names joined the political family of Sen. Dr. George Akume today after leaving the sinking Alia ship .
Under the leadership of Barr. Emmanuel Jime .
The are ;
Chief Nelson Alapa
Douglas pepe SAN senatorial Aspirant zone A,
Engr Peter Ashiekaa
QS Clement Beetseh
Former commissioners
Joy Luga
Ann itodo
Barr martins Shaagee
Miss Dorcas
Prof Usar Joseh
Prof Cephas Tushima
Chief Patrick Idoko
Hon Patience Akor
Hon Fred Idoko
Hon Lawrence Ekpo Onoja Jnr
Hon Andrew Abah
Hon Agbo Innocent Ikwumonu
Hon Simon Omachoko
Hon David Egboja
Dr John Garba
Among together,
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