TheNewsGuru

Tag: dasuki

  • Dasuki, Sowore must prove innocence on charges against them – Aremu

    While hailing the release of former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki and Convener of #RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore, Labour leader, Comrade Issa Aremu has said they must prove their innocence of the charges against them.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) NEC Member, and General Secretary, Textile Union, Kaduna in a statement on Wednesday said the release of Dasuki and Sowore implies that the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami has resumed duties as the chief law officer of the federation.

    Aremu who is equally a Member National Institute, Kuru Jos, said, while burden is on all the state security agencies to allow unfettered judicial process, the released detainees must prove their innocence of the charges against them.

    According to him, “It is remarkable that the Department of State Services has finally complied with the court orders directing it to release some detainees the notable being the convener of #RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore and the immediate-past National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

    “With this singular move it should be assumed that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), has resumed duties as the chief law officer of the Federation.

    “Better late than never. Nigeria has achieved much in quantitative terms, with hundreds of elections, thousands of elected officials at Executive and legislative branches. But there is still huge deficit of democratic culture. It is time to have quality control of Nigeria’s democratic process.

    “Authoritarianism has manifested itself in Nigeria through long years of military rule marked by absence of debate, patience, accountability, intimidation, disregard of civil rights, and non-chalance about due process, and the rule of law, by both some state and non-state actors alike.

    “We must therefore encourage a new Democratic culture that allows for unfettered abiding faith in democratic process. The burden is on all the state security agencies to allow unfettered judicial process while the released detainees must prove their innocence of the charges against them.

    “On the whole, 20 years of democracy task all Nigerians to reinvent a new politics of civic responsibility in which all citizens must shoulder in an organized and disciplined way to demand for free and fair elections and above all accountability from elected officials, failing which we should replace them at election year.

    “Indeed it is the insufficiency of democracy that denies Nigeria the much need economic and social development. The challenge therefore more democracy, not less.

    “The challenge is to deepen democratic process through all inclusive respect for the rule of law, which must start in the new year with the implementation of the new Minimum wage law by both private and public sector employers.” He said.

  • Sambo Dasuki speaks on alleged feud with Buhari

    Nigeria’s former national security adviser Sambo Dasuki has said he has no feud with President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Dasuki, who was the country’s NSA until May 2015, was detained for more than four years by the Nigerian government over allegations of illegal possession of arms and misappropriation of $68 million arms fund.

    He denied any wrongdoing.

    The government refused him to release despite multiple court orders to that effect, fuelling rumours that Buhari was using security agencies to settle old scores with Dasuki.

    But the former NSA insisted that he had no feud whatsoever with the president.

    “I have no feud with anybody,” Dasuki told the Hausa Service of Voice of America on Wednesday. “I am more than that. I can’t engage in a feud with anyone.”

    Dasuki said he stopped appearing in court as a protest against the government’s disregard for the court orders about his bail.

    “I stopped going to the court because I was granted bail but the government refused to release me and I said whenever the bail order is complied with I will appear before the court and defend myself,” he said.

    His release on Tuesday and that of Sahara Reporters’s Omoyele Sowore came on the heels of internal and external pressure on the Nigerian government to free persons illegally detained.

    Government-backed National Human Rights Commission also asked the government to respect the court orders on Monday.

    But Nigeria’s attorney-general and minister for justice Abubakar Malami said they were released based on earlier court orders.

    “The two defendants are enjoined to observe the terms of their bail and refrain from engaging in any act that is inimical to public peace and national security as well as their ongoing trial which will run its course in accordance with the laws of the land,” Malami said in a statement shortly before the two men were freed on Tuesday.

  • Alleged $2.1bn fraud: Dasuki expresses readiness to resume trial

    Nigeria’s former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, (rtd) released on bail on Tuesday, after four years of detention by the DSS, said he is now ready to resume his trial for corruption and money laundering.

    In an interview with the Hausa Service of VOA, Dasuki said he is ready to defend him over a $2.1billion money laundering charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    “Of course, I stopped going to the court because I was granted bail but the government refused to release me and I said whenever the bail order is complied with I will appear before the court and defend myself. I am ready,” the former NSA said.

    Dasuki also said he is in good health.

    “Thank God I am in good health. I have no ailment at all,” said Dasuki who also refused to blame the federal government for his long detention. But he argued that there must be ‘fairness.’

    “There is nothing really to say to the government. Everything that happens to an individual is from God. It is only God’s will that will prevail. It is ignorance or lack of faith that pushes some to think that certain individuals are behind their predicaments.

    “Everything is ordained by God. Like you said, I was detained for four year and I am out today. Only God knows tomorrow. The only thing is that there must be fairness. Whoever goes to the Mosque on Friday must surely have heard the Imam always preach for fairness and honesty. There is a reason for that. Everyone should listen to it.”

    The former NSA was first arrested on December 1, 2015 by DSS and has been arraigned in various courts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on various charges related to corruption in the management of $2.1 billion funds meant for procurement of arms for soldiers fighting Boko Haram.

    Dasuki had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail by the various court.

    The cases have been stalled on account of his unwillingness to attend the courts, after the DSS flagrantly disobeyed the court.

    On November 13, 2018, the former NSA submitted a letter to the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed, that he will no longer make himself available for trial following the “brazen violation” of his constitutional right to liberty.

    But in a stunning move on Tuesday, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami ordered the DSS to comply with the court order granting the former NSA bail.

    Freed with him is the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, who also had two bail orders flagrantly disobeyed by above-law DSS.

  • CAN lauds FG for releasing Dasuki, Sowore

    CAN lauds FG for releasing Dasuki, Sowore

    The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has commended the Federal government for ordering the release of former National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Col.m Sambo Dasuki, and the leader of RevolutionNow Movement, Mr Omoyele Sowore.

    The President of CAN, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, expressed the view in a statement signed by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant, Media and Communications to the CAN President, in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Ayokunle described the gesture as a Christmas gift to Nigerians and “ a New Dawn for our democracy”.

    “We are very happy with the decision of the Federal Government to release the duo of former National Security Adviser (NSA) and the publisher of Saharareporters, Omoyele Sowore as mandated by the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    ”We appreciate the Attorney -General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice for his intervention and counsel.

    “The action of the government is commendable and it is a New Dawn for Democracy.

    ”As long as the Federal Government continues to respect the rule of law and the Constitution, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) will continue to work with the government to ensure that there is peace and stability in the polity.

    ”We will not cease to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari and his team for a successful tenure of office,” Ayokunle said.

    He said Nigeria should be a pace setter for the continent in everything good, being the giant of Africa in the abundance of human and material resources.

  • Why Buhari ordered Dasuki, Sowore’s release – PDP

    Why Buhari ordered Dasuki, Sowore’s release – PDP

    The People’s Democratic Party has reacted to the release of former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) and convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore, from detention.

    In a statement released, the party said President Muhammadu Buhari-led government embarked on the decision because there was nothing more for them to do.

    The statement read: “What is exciting about the directive to release these people? Has this changed their penchant for disobedience of court orders and the rule of law? This government has shown to the world that it is only interested in doing things its own ways regardless of the place of law and democratic order.

    “They felt the heat of national and international pressure; so, there was nothing more for them to do than to order their immediate release. Nigerians are not fooled by this and the government knows it.”

  • Four people who convinced Buhari to release Sowore, Dasuki

    Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister of aviation, says four people fought from within to ensure the release of Omoyele Sowore, convener of RevolutionNow Movement, and Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser (NSA).

    In a tweet on Tuesday, Fani-Kayode the four individuals were able to convince Buhari to ensure the release of both men.

    He listed them as Abba Kyari, Buhari’s chief of staff; Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation; Kayode Fayemi, chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF); and Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation.

    “I can tell you authoritatively that 4 people fought from within to get Dasuki & Sowore released & eventually managed to convince Buhari. They are Abba Kyari, Malami, Hadi Sirika and Kayode Fayemi. They represent the liberal and cerebral wing of the Buhari Govt. & I commend them,” he wrote.

    Sowore and Dasuki were released from custody hours after Malami directed the Department of State Services (DSS) to release them.

    While Sowore was arrested on August 3, over a nationwide protest, Dasuki was picked up in 2015.

    Although Sowore was released temporarily after 124 days, he was rearrested at a federal high court in Abuja less than 24 hours after.

    While trying to rearrest Sowore, operatives of the DSS had invaded the court, an action which sparked nationwide outrage. Shortly after this, Malami took over the case.

  • Release of Dasuki, Sowore worthy Christmas gift – CAN

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has commended the Federal government for releasing former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki, and the leader of RevolutionNow Movement, Mr Omoyele Sowore, describing the gesture a Christmas gift.

    The President of CAN, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, expressed the view in a statement signed by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant, Media and Communications to the CAN President, in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Ayokunle described the gesture as a Christmas gift to Nigerians and “ a New Dawn for our democracy”.

    Sowore: after he was freed by DSS

    “We are very happy with the decision of the Federal Government to release the duo of former National Security Adviser (NSA) and the publisher of Saharareporters, Omoyele Sowore as mandated by the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    ”We appreciate the Attorney -General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice for his intervention and counsel.

    “The action of the government is commendable and it is a New Dawn for Democracy.

    ”As long as the Federal Government continues to respect the rule of law and the Constitution, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) will continue to work with the government to ensure that there is peace and stability in the polity.

    ”We will not cease to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari and his team for a successful tenure of office,” Ayokunle said.

    He said Nigeria should be a pace setter for the continent in everything good, being the giant of Africa in the abundance of human and material resources.

  • BREAKING: FG rethink, orders release of Dasuki, Sowore

    BREAKING: FG rethink, orders release of Dasuki, Sowore

    The Federal Government has ordered the release of former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki and convener of online #RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore.

    The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami made this public in a statement on Tuesday.

    Malami said the decision to release them was in compliance with the bail granted the two by the court.

    “The two defendants are enjoined to observe the terms of their bail and refrain from engaging in any act that is inimical to public peace and national security as well as their ongoing trial which will run its course in accordance with the laws of the land,” Malami said.

    Details to follow

  • N19.4bn fraud: Court fixes Dec. 11 to hear EFCC’s motion in Dasuki’ trial

    N19.4bn fraud: Court fixes Dec. 11 to hear EFCC’s motion in Dasuki’ trial

    An FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday, fixed Dec. 11, for hearing in the trial of rtd Col. Sambo Dasuki and four others over alleged misappropriation of N19.4 billion arms funds.

    Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf adjourned the trial after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Counsel, Mr Oluwaleken Atolegbe, holding the brief for Mr Rotimi Jacob, SAN, notified the court of a motion he filed.

    Dasuki, former National Security Adviser (NSA) under former President Goodluck Jonathan was arraigned alongside a former Minister of State for Finance, Amb. Bashir Yuguda.

    Also a former Sokoto State governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, his son, Sagir and his company, Dalhatu Investment Limited.

    They are charged with 25-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of public fund to the tune N19. 4 billion.

    At the resumed hearing , EFCC counsel, Mr Oluwaleke Atolagbe, informed the court that the case was adjourned for hearing, adding that the prosecution was ready to go on with the case as its witness was in court.

    He, however, stated that the case could not go on as Dasuki, who was the second defendant in the case, was not in court.

    Atolagbe informed that the prosecution filed a motion on notice dated October 3 and filed same date, adding that Dasuki’s counsel served the prosecution with a counter affidavit in respect of the motion on notice.

    He stated that there was a need for them to file a further and better affidavit and reply on point of law to the counter affidavit.

    Atolagbe, therefore, applied for a short adjournment for the prosecution to file the further and better affidavit as well as reply the counter affidavit.

    He further told the court that at the last sitting, the (court) directed Dasuki’s counsel, Ahmed Raji SAN, to take a look at the letter written to the court by the Department of State Security (DSS) with a view to ensuring that Dasuki attend court for his trial.

    According to Atolagbe, the prosecution was forced to file the motion on notice as it did not hear anything from the senior advocate.

    Counsel for other defendants did not object to the application for adjournment made by the prosecution counsel.

    Counsel for Yuguda, Mr M.D. Ayodele, however, told the court that the prosecution did not serve them with the motion on notice despite being part and parcel of the case.

    Baba-Yusuf adjourned the case until Dec. until 11 for hearing in the motion on notice.

  • Money collected from Dasuki meant for ‘special national assignment’ – Metuh tells court

    Chief Olisa Metuh, on Friday, told a Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice Okon Abang that the N400 million he collected from the Office of the National Security Adviser under Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) in 2014 was for “a special national assignment”.

    The former National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, who spoke under cross-examination by the prosecution counsel, said there was never an instance where former President Goodluck Jonathan directly paid any money to him.

    Metuh is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alongside his company, Destra Investment on seven-count bordering on money laundering to the tune of N400million.

    He said the money received in the run-up to the 2015 general elections was for the national assignment as directed by the then president, a statement by the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said.

    Upon being shown the statement of his account which had N6.6mn before an inflow of N400mn into it on November 24, 2014, Metuh narrated to the court how he distributed the money.

    He said there was an outflow of N7.5mn from the amount through a cheque to a company, CNC Connect on December 2, 2014, and another payment of N21.7mn to late Chief Tony Anenih and N50mn to Kanayo/Olisah.

    On that same date, he narrated that there was another outflow of N31.5mn to one Richard Ehidioha, adding that two separate payments of N200mn and N300mn were made to Daniel Ford International also on December 4, 2014.

    Other subsequent expenditures he said, included payments to CNC Connect in the sum of N70mn on December 15, 2014; N25mn to Abba Dabo on December 16, 2014 and N5mn to Mrs Kema Chikwe.

    He told the court that a final report he submitted to the ex-President Goodluck Jonathan had all the expenditures of the said N400 million, captured in receipts and signatures for all payment of monies in cash and through several accounts for the special assignment.

    He said he had about 19 accounts of which more than five were in Diamond Bank, adding that he made an investment of $2million dollars in cash in ARM, through its official, Miss Nneka Ararume.

    The matter has been adjourned to September 30, 2019, for continuation of trial.