Court remands alleged ISWAP ransom negotiator in Kuje prison

A federal high court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Samaila Kaigama, an alleged ransom negotiator for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending his trial on terrorism-related charges.

Ibrahim Salim, the presiding judge, issued the order on Tuesday after Kaigama pleaded not guilty to a seven-count amended charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The judge fixed November 13 for the commencement of trial and ordered that the defendant remain in custody pending the hearing of his bail application.

Oyedepo Rotimi, director of public prosecution of the federation, led the prosecution team, while Chris Abengowe appeared for Kaigama.

During the proceedings, Rotimi asked the court to remand Kaigama in Kuje Correctional Centre and ensure an expedited trial.

However, Abengowe’s attempt to argue the bail application could not proceed because it was based on charges that had been struck out.

Rotimi also informed the court that the prosecution intended to file a counter-affidavit opposing the bail application.

In the amended charges, Rotimi alleged that Kaigama aided the activities of Boko Haram/ISWAP by establishing unauthorised communication with members of the terrorist group and negotiating ransom payment.

He is also accused of receiving ransom from families of abducted persons despite allegedly having reasonable grounds to believe the money would be used to finance terrorism.

In another count, the prosecution counsel alleged that Kaigama failed to disclose information about the activities of Boko Haram/ISWAP that could have helped security agencies in apprehend and prosecute its members.

The charges further accused him of soliciting and mobilising financial contributions from the families of hostages for onward transmission to terrorists.

According to the charge, Kaigama allegedly used WhatsApp, through a group identified as BOSYA, and Facebook to demand ransom payments from victims’ families, causing a loss of more than N1.8 million.

“That you, Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, adult male of FCT Abuja, on or about July 2026, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did mobilize members of the affected communities to stage protests against Senator Ali Ndume and the Borno state government, you thereby inciting public disorder, contrary to and punishable under Section 51 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38 LFN 2004,” the charge reads.(TheCable)