DSS arraigns man for allegedly providing financial services to ISWAP, Boko Haram

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday arraigned a man, Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, before a Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly providing financial services to two terrorist organisations — the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (Boko Haram).

Kaigama, who was also charged with allegedly soliciting and raising funds in support of terror activities, was arraigned before Justice Salim Ibrahim on a four-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/439/2026, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Following the not-guilty plea of the defendant, prosecuting lawyer Calistus Eze applied for the defendant to be remanded in the protective custody of the DSS in the interest of national security and that of the defendant.

In his ruling, Justice Ibrahim overruled the defence lawyer, Hamza Dantanni, and proceeded to order Kaigama to be remanded in the custody of the DSS, and also ordered that the defendant be granted unrestricted access to his lawyer and two members of his family, especially his wife and uncle.

According to the judge, Kaigama should be accorded adequate medical attention, and he then adjourned the matter till September 24 for commencement of trial.

In count one, Kaigama was alleged to have, sometime between January and June, in Abuja and Gwoza LGA in Borno, concealed information about acts of terrorism by ISWAP and Boko Haram, internationally and nationally proscribed terrorist groups.

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The prosecution said that even when he knew the information would be of material assistance in apprehending and preventing the commission of acts of terrorism, he failed to disclose the information to any law enforcement or security officer.

In count two, he was alleged to have, in Abuja and Gwoza LGA, under the guise of negotiating the release of kidnap victims, directly and willingly solicited, acquired, collected, received and possessed funds from unsuspecting members of the public, with the intention and knowledge that they would be used to finance ISWAP and Boko Haram.

The prosecution alleged that the funds were to be used for the commission of acts of terrorism and the furtherance of their objectives.

The offence is contrary to Section 21 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Section 21(2) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

In count four, the defendant was alleged to have dealt in terrorist funds by possessing terrorist funds, facilitating transactions and providing financial services in respect of terrorist funds at the direction of ISWAP and Boko Haram, internationally and nationally proscribed terrorist groups.

The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 23(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, among other counts.