NEWS
Mamu Denies Terrorist Financing Accusation, Demands Retraction
Kaduna-based Desert Herald Newspaper’s publisher, Tukur Mamu, has resorted to the law, demanding a retraction from the Attorney General of the Federation after being implicated as a terrorist financier.
In a formal letter dated March 25, 2024, Mamu’s lawyer, J.J. Usman (SAN), addressed the AGF, highlighting the need for correction.
This move follows the unveiling by the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, of 15 entities allegedly involved in terrorism financing, which includes Mamu among nine individuals and six Bureau De Change operators and firms.
Despite being in detention since 2022, Tukur Mamu’s legal counsel has contested the authority of the Nigerian Sanctions Committee to label Mamu as a terrorist financier.
Mamu’s lawyer emphasized that the committee lacks the statutory mandate for such designation.
As a result, Mamu’s legal team has issued a seven-day ultimatum for the retraction of Mamu’s classification as a terrorist financier to avoid legal action.
It’s noteworthy that the Attorney General of the Federation’s office is currently prosecuting Mamu on terrorism-related charges, as highlighted by Mamu’s lawyer in the letter.
He said it was “lamentable that while the case was still pending in court, the social media was saturated by a publication allegedly emanating from and authorised by your good office.”
“However, the said publication was specifically made by the ‘Nigerian Sanctions Committee’ wherein our client was profiled and designated as a terrorist financier.
“As at the time of this missive, no court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria has designated our client as such.
“It is a common knowledge that the administration of the criminal justice system in Nigeria is not only antithetic to, but forbids media trial in whatever guise.
“We vehemently condemn the actions of the Nigerian Sanctions Committee same being a violation of the rule of natural justice and prejudicial to our client who is undergoing trial, and whose trial is still pending in Suit FHCIABJ/CR/96/2023
“The Nigerian Sanctions Committee lacks the statutory mandate to pronounce on, and to designate Mr Tukur Mohammed Mamu as a terrorist financier; even when it is a notorious fact that Mr Tukur Mohammed Mamu is undergoing trial. It is so, particularly that the court has not made any pronouncement detailing him to be one.
“Based on the aforesaid, we demand in very clear and unequivocal terms, the immediate retraction of the said publication within seven days from the receipt of this letter dated 25h March 2024.
“Failure to comply with our client’s demand. we will have no hesitation in seeking redress in the court of law for the ventilation of our client’s grievances.”
NEWS
Adamawa SSG Identifies Three Priorities for Tackling Nigeria’s Security Challenges
The Secretary to the Adamawa State Government, Awwal D. Tukur, has identified intelligence gathering, timely information sharing and proactive security strategies as key priorities for tackling Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Tukur stated this while delivering a welcome address on behalf of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri at the opening ceremony of the Federal and State Security Administrators’ Meeting in Yola, Adamawa State on Thursday.
Welcoming delegates to the state, he said, “It is my honor and privilege to welcome you all on behalf of the government and the good people of Adamawa State to the capital city of Yola for this federal and state security administrators’ meeting.”
He described the gathering as an important platform for collaboration between federal intelligence institutions and state and local government administrations.
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“As a premier security engagement forum, the FSSAM plays an indispensable role. It provides a unique, highly collaborative platform where federal intelligence frameworks meet the practical day-to-day realities of state and local government administration,” Tukur said.
The Adamawa SSG noted that Nigeria faces evolving security challenges, including insurgency, cross-border criminality and internal civil cleavages.
“No doubt, our nation is facing evolving and fast-moving security challenges, ranging from complex insurgency and cross-border criminality to internal civil cleavages. The mandate of this initiative is therefore, the more pressing,” he said.
Tukur outlined three key tasks for participants during the two-day meeting, stressing the need to identify emerging threats, improve intelligence sharing and develop practical strategies to address security challenges.
“To my mind, the collective task of this forum over the next two days is clear,” he said.
He listed the priorities as identifying and evaluating emerging security indicators; reviewing methods for generating actionable intelligence and sharing it with relevant authorities in a clear, precise and timely manner; and proposing practical strategies to anticipate and contain present and future security threats within communities.
Tukur also highlighted Adamawa State’s efforts to prioritise intelligence gathering under Governor Fintiri’s leadership.
“Under the dynamic and visionary leadership of His Excellency, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Adamawa State has consistently prioritized intelligence in the sector. Community-centered intelligence networks and robust logistical support for our security formation,” he said.
He added that hosting the meeting reflected the state’s commitment to supporting national security efforts.
“Host of this meeting reflects the test part of the commitments on unwavering commitment to contributing meaningfully to the national security architecture,” Tukur said.
NEWS
‘Celebrate This Poor Man’ – Shettima Defends Tinubu Over Economic Crisis
Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians to celebrate President Bola Tinubu, saying his leadership saved the country from a potential implosion.
Shettima said Nigeria’s economy had been teetering on the edge of collapse before Tinubu’s intervention, adding that the country could have faced a different situation.
“The economy was teetering on the edge of collapse, we were on a cliff edge,” the Vice President said.
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“So he literally saved the nation from an implosion. That could have been the scenario. So, instead of demonizing him, Nigerians ought to celebrate this poor man.”
Shettima also called for a return to the drawing board, expressing confidence in the leadership’s commitment and the prospects for the 2027 elections.
“I believe on the bottom of my heart that with this presentation I have seen, and with the commitment of our leadership, by the grace of God, we are going to win,” he said.
Speaking about the 2027 elections, the Vice President reminded his audience that social media platforms should not be mistaken for actual polling stations.
“There are no polling stations on Facebook or Instagram,” he said.
Shettima also expressed gratitude for the efforts made towards promoting the cause of the 2027 elections.
NEWS
FG Withdraws Charges Against ‘Fake Agency’ DG, Adeniyi Adeyemi
Following observed mis-steps, the Federal Government of Nigeria has withdrawn the eight-count criminal charge brought against the alleged fake Director General (DG) of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi.
Biztellers reports that the matter, in accordance with the counsel of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, (SAN), the matter will be filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), instead of the Federal High Court (FHC).
Consequently, upon an unopposed application for termination by the prosecution counsel and Director of the Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), on Monday, Justice Mohammed Umar of a Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday, struck out the matter.
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In a motion for the termination of the charges, Oyedepo informed the court that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice has carried out a review of the case file of Adeyemi and the charge filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and found some loopholes.
The DPPF added that the documents allegedly forged by Adeyemi during his operations of the fake agency are those that can be prosecuted by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He also informed the court that a new charge has been filed at the High Court of the FCT and that Adeyemi would be expeditiously arraigned afresh.
He therefore urged the judge to strike out the charge as required by law.
Following no objections from Ibrahim Angulu (SAN), who stood in for Adeyemi, Justice Umar subsequently terminated the charge.
Adeniyi, 38, was being tried alongside two others whose whereabouts are unknown, on charges bordering on conspiracy and forgery.
The two others said to be at large were identified as Femi (surname unknown) and Anu (surname unknown).
The charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2025, was entered against the defendant by the DPPF.





