Urges Tinubu, others to enable Mamu to see his private doctors
From Sola Ojo, Kaduna
Group, Concerned Civil Society Network on Tuesday, urged the Federal Government not to allow the embattled publisher of Kaduna-based Desert Herald Newspaper, Tukur Mamu, to die while in the custody of the Department of State Security (DSS).
The Convener, Comrade Abdul Bako Usman at a press briefing in Kaduna specifically appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu to allow Mamu access to his private doctor due to his deteriorating health status.
Earlier in the day, Mamu had through his lawyer, J.J. Usman (SAN) written to the Attorney General of the Federation, demanding a retraction for profiling and designating him as a terrorist financier because he was not one.
His letter followed the Federal Government’s unveiling of the identity of 15 entities, including nine individuals and six Bureau De Change operators and firms, allegedly involved in terrorism financing in Nigeria.
According to Bako, “we as concerned Civil Society Network have decided to speak up after a long season of silence, in the face of an attempt to deny most Nigerians their fundamental Human Rights by forces that be as Tukur Mamu is equally not an exceptional.
“It is almost two years now, that the publisher, a Journalist, and most of all a Nigerian who was arrested and incarcerated for crimes concerning sponsorship of terrorism. Ordinarily, our organizations would have not spoken out but recent events have pushed us to.
“First, we are appalled (shocked) at the attempt to use media as the staging ground to tell the world that the publisher of Desert Herald Newspaper Mallam Tukur Mamu is one of the financiers of terrorism.
“We found it very degrading and even a contempt of court for some elements within the Federal Government to label Mamu a sponsor of terrorists when no competent court of law has done so.
“He was invited to help at a time when the Government and the security agencies were helpless and had no clue how to go about it. A serving military General’s wife Bosede (Air Vice Marshall Olurotimi Anthony Tuwase) was among the Victims. The General at that time was the commandant, Staff and Command College, Jaji.
“His military constituency couldn’t help him despite being in charge of training combined senior military officers. That showed the level of helplessness of the security.
“It was Mamu who secured her release alongside the Pakistani national who was kidnapped and the inability of security to get his release caused international embarrassment to the Government. A current serving member of the House of Representatives, Hon Sadiq Ango Abdullahi, and many others are among the victims
“The Government invited Tukur Mamu to serve on a committee that will negotiate with the terrorists to secure the release of those in captivity, they also provide logistics and support to his negotiation efforts.
“Since his arrest nearly two years ago, the Federal Government has yet to bring any evidence linking him with terrorists or terrorism activities apart from the negotiation and issue of ransom.
“In recent times, Mamu’s health has deteriorated to a worrisome dimension with life-threatening alignments, this much was ascertained by the DSS themselves but they refused him access to proper medical treatment or allow his doctor have access to him even when a court has granted him that permission.
“We therefore call on Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and the National Security Adviser – Nuhu Ribadu to compel those stopping Tukur Mamu access to doctor so that he can get good medical treatment for ailments which some are life-threatening- Mamu must not die in detention.
“We are also calling on the Federal Government to stop those engaged in the media trial of the publisher and channel their efforts into ensuring the trial of Mamu is speeded up so that justice can be done”, he added.