Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has disagreed with the Federal Government over its recently released list linking certain individuals and entities to terrorism financing in Nigeria.
News About Nigeria earlier reported that the Federal Government unveiled a list of 15 entities, comprising nine individuals and six Bureau De Change operators and firms, allegedly involved in financing terrorism.
This revelation was made public through an email from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit titled “Designation of Individuals and Entities for March 18, 2024.”
At the top of the list of individuals named in the document was Tukur Mamu, an ally of Gumi and a Kaduna-based publisher who is currently undergoing trial for his alleged involvement in aiding terrorists responsible for attacking the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022.
Mamu was accused of facilitating ransom payments amounting to $200,000 USD in support of ISWAP terrorists for the release of hostages from the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
However, during a Twitter spaces discussion organised by the Daily Trust on Wednesday, Gumi criticised the list, stating that security agencies lacked the authority to label anyone a terrorist financier.
He argued that Nigerians would not fund terrorism and mentioned that terrorists financed their operations through ransom collected from kidnapped victims’ families.
Gumi stated, “No Nigerian will put his money into terrorism; we’re beyond that. These people are financing themselves by taking our children for ransom. So, how can we say some people are financing terrorism because there is a misunderstanding between them?”
He further commented on Mamu’s case, stating that the courts should decide his guilt or innocence.
Gumi criticised what he perceived as a media trial, noting that the legal process should be allowed to run its course before passing judgement.
