From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
An Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has reacted to the recent list of terror sponsors released by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) says It is wrong to resort to media trials.
Speaking on X Space organized by Daily Trust, he expressed his disappointment with the list saying that the security agency has no right to declare those listed as terror sponsors especially if the case is in court.
It will be recalled that the NFIU had on Tuesday reportedly released a list identifying 15 entities, including nine individuals and six Bureau De Change (BDC) operators and firms, as sponsors of terrorism in the nation.
One of the identified individuals on the list was Tukur Mamu, the Publisher of the Kaduna-based Desert Herald magazine and a close ally of the Islamic preacher, who has been tried since 2023 by the Federal Government for allegations of aiding terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022.
Reacting to this, he particularly said the name of his associate, Tukur Mamu who was listed was wrong because he’s currently in court with the federal government, stressing that only the court can determine whether he’s a terror sponsor or not.
The Islamic cleric also warned that except there is proof to the allegations, the NFIU should be prepared to face a legal battle should Mamu decide to pursue a case of Libel.
However, he opined that if Mamu is found guilty by the court, he should face the music.
“I am a public figure; many people come to me. The good, the bad, the ugly. As a preacher, I cannot send anybody away, o matter how bad. If you ask, especially pastors, armed robbers come to them and confess but they cannot still take them to the authorities.
“I know of Mamu and his arrest is a misunderstanding between him and the committee that was supposed to deal with the release of some victims. But since the case is in court, we hope the court will be just for him.
“Let’s wait for the court to state whether he is a financier or not. I think if he is acquitted, he has a strong case to make on libel.”
“Who declares someone a terrorist financer? Is it the court of law or a security agency? The security agency has no right to declare anyone a terrorist financier.
“The case is already in court, so why are they judging him on the pages of the newspaper? Once a case is in court, you allow the court to decide.
“That is what we wanted all along; take him to court. Instead of incarcerating someone and levelling phantom allegations against him. Bring your proof, And if Mamu is found guilty, he should have full-fledged punishment. But as of what I know, let’s wait for the court”, he stressed .
