A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the remand of an alleged ransom negotiator for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Samaila Kaigama, at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Salim, issued the remand order on Tuesday after the suspect pleaded not guilty to a seven-count amended terrorism charge.
The Department of State Services (DSS) accused Kaigama of establishing unauthorised communication with terrorists and facilitating ransom payments on behalf of abducted victims.
The prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Oyedepo Rotimi, informed the court that the defendant used social media platforms, including a WhatsApp group named BOSYA, to negotiate ransoms of over N1.8 million.
According to the prosecution, Kaigama allegedly received funds from hostages’ families despite having reasonable grounds to believe the money would be used to finance terrorism. He is accused of withholding critical information from security agencies and inciting public disorder by mobilising protests against the Borno State Government and Senator Ali Ndume.
During the proceedings, the defence counsel, Chris Abengowe, attempted to move a bail application but was stalled, as the motion relied on previously struck-out charges. Justice Salim subsequently adjourned the matter to November 13 for the commencement of trial and the hearing of a fresh bail application, which the prosecution has vowed to oppose with a counter-affidavit.
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