Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, controversial Islamic cleric, has condemned the list of ‘terrorist financiers’ released by the federal government on Tuesday.
The Nigerian government, through the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), uncovered 15 entities that have been financing terrorism operations in the country.
Top on the list, according to reports, was Gumi’s ally and Kaduna-based publisher, Tukur Mamu, who is currently being tried by the Federal Government for allegedly aiding the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022.
A post released on X on Monday by former President Muhammadu Buhari’s Media Aide, Bashir Ahmad, reads: “The Federal Government has released names, and BDCs are 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
However, reacting to the list on X Space organized by Daily Trust on Wednesday, Gumi opined: “Mamu’s case is in court. Let’s wait to hear from the court. It’s wrong to resort to a media trial. Let’s wait for the court to state whether he is a financier or not. If the court acquits him, I believe he has a strong case on libel.
“Who declares someone a terrorist financier? 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.”
Speaking further, Gumi said, “I am a public figure; many people come to me. The good, the bad, and 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. However, since the case is currently in court, we hope that the court will treat him fairly.
“That is what we wanted all along; take him to court. Instead of incarcerating someone and levelling phantom allegations against im, Bring your proofs, and if Mamu is found guilty, he should receive full-fledged punishment.
But as far as I know, let’s wait for the court.”
