Sheik Gumi, has condemned the Federal Government’s recently released list of those allegedly linked to terrorism financing in Nigeria.
While condemning the list, Gumi stated that it was wrong for the government or security agencies to describe anyone as a terrorist financier, when the court had not made such declaration. He also stated that those listed were opponents of the government.
Recall that the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) had revealed the identity of 15 organizations, nine individuals and six Bureau De Change operators and firms, reportedly involved in financing terrorism.
The document revealed that the Nigeria Sanctions Committee met recently, where specific individuals and entities were recommended for sanction owing to their alleged involvement in terrorism financing.
Top of the list of individuals named in the document was Gumi’s friend and Kaduna-based publisher, Tukur Mamu, who is currently facing trial for allegedly aiding terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022.
The document reveals that Mamu “participated in the financing of terrorism by receiving and delivering ransom payments over the sum of $200,000 US in support of ISWAP terrorists for the release of hostages of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.”
In his reaction, on X spaces organized by the Daily Trust recently, Gumi stated that the security agencies had no right to label anyone a terrorist financier.
He said: “So, how can we say some people are financing terrorism because there is a misunderstanding between them?
“Now they are looking for N1 billion for these children (kidnap victims) to be released. They (terrorists) financed themselves by kidnapping. I think it’s rubbish to just frame your political opponents as financing terrorism.”
“Mamu’s case is in the court. Let’s wait to hear from the court. It’s wrong to resort to media trial. Let’s wait for the court to state if 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.”
