Sheikh Ahmad Gumi Challenges Federal Government’s Terrorism Financing List

Controversial Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has raised objections to the Federal Government’s list of entities allegedly linked to terrorism financing in Nigeria.

The Federal Government had disclosed the identities of 15 entities, including individuals and Bureau De Change operators, accused of involvement in terrorism financing. Among those listed was Tukur Mamu, an ally of Gumi and a Kaduna-based publisher currently facing trial for allegedly aiding terrorists in the Abuja-Kaduna train attack in March 2022.

Gumi, however, disputed the accusations during a Twitter spaces session organized by Daily Trust, asserting that Nigerians wouldn’t finance terrorism. He contended that terrorists fund their operations through ransom payments from kidnapped victims’ families.

Expressing skepticism towards the list, Gumi emphasized the need for due process, stating that individuals accused of terrorism financing should be judged by the court, not security agencies. He criticized the practice of media trials and advocated for awaiting court verdicts.

Regarding Mamu’s case, Gumi advocated for letting the court decide his guilt or innocence. He cautioned against prematurely branding individuals as terrorist financiers before legal proceedings are concluded.

Gumi’s recent remarks coincide with his earlier expressed intention to negotiate with bandits involved in the abduction of schoolchildren from Kuriga Government Secondary and LEA Primary Schools in Kaduna State. He urged President Bola Tinubu to consider dialogue as an alternative approach to secure the release of the abducted children, citing the failure of previous administrations to engage with bandits.