FG has no right to declare anyone terrorist financier - Sheikh Ahmad Gumi

Renowned Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has raised concerns over the list of terrorist financiers’ shared by the federal government on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

In a statement released by the Nigerian government, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, uncovered 15 entities that have been involved in the financing of terrorism operations in the country.

Among the list is Gumi’s ally and Kaduna-based publisher, Tukur Mamu, who is currently standing trial for allegedly aiding the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022.

The statement sighted on former President Muhammadu Buhari’s Media Aide, Bashir Ahmad’s X page states;

“The Federal Government has released names and BDCs funding terrorists in Nigeria. We hope that those individuals will face the necessary legal consequences for their actions.

The names include:

1. Tukur Mamu
2. Yusuf Ghazali
3. Muhammad Sani
4. Abubakar Muhammad
5. Sallamudeen Hassan
6. Adamu Ishak
7. Hassana-Oyiza Isah
8. Abdulkareem Musa
9. Umar Abdullahi

The six BDCs and firms are:

10. West and East Africa General Trading Company Limited
11. Settings Bureau De Change Ltd
12. G. Side General Enterprises
13. Desert Exchange Ventures Limited
14. Eagle Square General Trading Company Limited
15. Alfa Exchange BDC

Gumi who disagreed with the list, on Wednesday, March 20 questioned the rights of the federal government to release such a list and mention the name of his ally while his case is still in court.

He said;

“Mamu’s case is in the court. Let’s wait to hear from the court. It’s wrong to resort to media trials. 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 financier? Is it the court of law or a security agency? 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.”

“I am a public figure; many people come to me. The good, the bad, the ugly. As a preacher, I cannot send anybody away, no matter how bad. If you ask, especially pastors, armed robbers come to them and confess but they cannot still take them to the authorities.

“What 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 to him.

“That is what we wanted all along; take him to court. Instead of incarcerating someone and levelling phantom allegations against him. Bring your proofs, And if Mamu is found guilty, he should have full fledged punishment. But as of what I know, let’s wait for the court.”