Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, has disagreed with the Federal Government over its recently released list of those linked to terrorism financing in the country.
The Federal Government had reportedly uncovered the identity of 15 entities, including nine individuals and six Bureau De Change operators and firms, allegedly involved in terrorism financing.
But reacting to the development on Twitter spaces, Gumi, who faulted the list, explained that the security agencies had no right to label anyone a terrorist financier, claiming that no Nigerian would finance terrorism, adding that the terrorists are financing their operations with monies made from ransom collected from kidnapped victims’ families.
Gumi said: “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 of he is a financier or not. I think if he is acquitted, he has a strong case to make on libel.”
He added: “Who declares someone a terrorist financer? Is it the court of law or a security agency? Security agency has no right to declare anyone a terrorist financer. 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 leveling 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.”
Meanwhile, RoyalTimes gathered parents of the Kidnapped Students has revealed that they were taken to Gumi’s house to discuss about the kidnappers where they contributed 800,000 naira for Gumi as transport fare to negotiate with the bandits.
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