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Tag: dasuki

  • Dasuki threatens to ignore court summons till ‘FG obeys bail rulings’

    Dasuki threatens to ignore court summons till ‘FG obeys bail rulings’

    A former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, on Tuesday wrote the court informing it of his resolve to avoid court hearing until the prosecution obeys the court’s ruling on his bail.

    Dasuki is facing trial at an Abuja Division of the Federal High Court for alleged illegal possession of firearms among other charges.

    The former NSA, who is facing separate trials for alleged abuse of office while he was NSA, has repeatedly been granted bail by various courts which were not obeyed by the Nigerian government despite him meeting the bail conditions.

    In a letter dated November 12 and signed by Dasuki, the former NSA asked the court to: “absolve him of any obligation of appearing at his trial, since the office of the State Security Service, an agent of government detaining him has also refused to respect the various court order for his bail.”

    In a response, the prosecution counsel, Dipo Okpeseyi asked the court to order the continuation of Dasuki’s trial in absentia.

    Okpeseyi argued that the cases for which Dasuki has been denied bail are independent of the instant case and described the defendant’s action as an affront to the court.

    Okpeseyi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said the prosecution was ready to proceed with the trial, but by his action, “Mr Dasuki has again forestalled the day’s hearing session.”

    “This is not the first time. He did it in January and in April,” Okpeseyi said.

    In a short ruling, Mr Mohammed said the court will not grant the request by the prosecution to proceed with Dasuki’s trial in absentia, unless the prosecution depose to an affidavit accusing the defence of wilfully avoiding the court.

    According to the judge, the court had in its previous decision on April 10 settled the issue of Dasuki’s alleged refusal to attend court hearing.

    “Let me observe that this court has in its ruling of April, 10, 2018 noted that any day that the defendant is absence in court and the prosecution believes that the defendant is unwilling to attend trial, the prosecution should swear an affidavit to show that the defendant has wilfully refused to come to court,” Mohammed ruled.

    The judge further said the decision requested by the prosecution can only follow the applicant’s compliance with the ruling of the court on April 10.

    Ahmed also refused to treat the request made by Dasuki in his letter and ordered the defence to properly communicate the court, for the letter to be included in its record.

    Ahmed said the court is a court of record which does not accept direct communication from parties.

    The court adjourned the matter to November 19 for the prosecution to comply with the orders of the court on April 10, for a proper application for Dasuki’s trial in absentia.

  • Alleged N2.1bn fraud: Direct your probe at Jonathan, Dasuki – Dokpesi tells EFCC

    Alleged N2.1bn fraud: Direct your probe at Jonathan, Dasuki – Dokpesi tells EFCC

    …Queries EFCC’s failure to question ex-President
    …Court to rule Nov 12
    Businessman, Raymond Dokpesi has faulted the money laundering charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
    Dokpesi queried the exclusion of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan from EFCC’s probe of the allegation that he (Dokpesi) and his firm, Daar Investment and Holdings Company Limited were involved in the laundering of N2.1billion.
    The businessman, who is being tried with his firm, before the Federal High Court, Abuja also wondered why they were being prosecuted instead of the ex-National Security Adviser (NSA), Mohammed Dasuki, who is alleged to have laundered the money.
    Dokpesi’s argument is contained in a no-case submission adopted on Friday by his lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN).
    The case against Dokpesi and his firm, includes that they allegedly received N2.1b from the office of the National Security Adviser, under Sambo Dasuki, as payment for a “purported contract on presidential media initiative”.
    They are also accused of receiving the N2.1b from ONSA to prosecute the 2015 presidential media campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
    Adopting the no-case submission on Friday, Agabi, an ex-Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), argued that the prosecution’s case against his clients and evidence led so far are replete with contradictions and inconsistencies.
    Agabi argued that the prosecution failed to call vital witnesses such as Dasuki or former President Goodluck Jonathan whom he said his Dokpesi implicated in his statement.
    The ex-AGF said, “The money was paid by Col. Dasuki. His name is mentioned in the four counts of money laundering as the one who made the payment.
    “Therefore he is the one alleged to be laundering the funds. The money in counts one to four is not being laundered by the defendant. The launderer is Col. Dasuki.
    “So, if the launderer is Col. Dasuki, are we going to convict him behind him? We cannot convict him behind him.
    “Why is he not charged? His name is mentioned again and again in the charges.
    “Even if they are not going to charge him, they should have called him as a witness because it is his action that is in question here,” Agabi said
    ‎He equally noted that despite that Dokpesi implicated former President Jonathan, the anti-graft agency failed to interview him or call him as a witness.
    He said, “The 1st defendant (Dokpesi) in his statement implicated the former President. Witnesses testified that they did not interview the former President
    “The rules of the court is that once the statement of the defendant (Dokpesi’s statement) is tendered by the prosecution it becomes the case of the prosecution,” Agabi said.
    He argued that the prosecution failed to disclose ingredients of money laundering in count one to four.
    He contended that, for a transaction to constitute a money laundering offence, the money involved must be proceeds of crime.
    Agabi noted that, in the instant case, the money in the ONSA’s account with the Central Bank of Nigeria, from which his clients were paid, could not have been proceeds of crime.
    He argued that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against his clients to warrant their being called upon to enter defence.
    He argued that the charges were defective as they allegedly failed to disclose the ingredients of money laundering against his clients and were “riddled with inconsistencies from the head to the toes.”
    Agabi urged the court to dismiss the charge and discharge and acquit his clients.
    Responding, prosecuting lawyer, Oluwaleke Atolagbe urged the court to dismiss the no-case submission and order the defendants to enter their defence to the prosecution’s case.
    Atolagbe contended that the defendants’ submission, to the effect that Dokpesi should be held to account for any money laundering charge, was an admission that they committed the alleged crimes.
    He argued that all the ingredients of the alleged offences were proved by the prosecution and all the necessary witnesses needed to prove the case were called.
    Atolagbe said the defence’s line of argument involving Dasuki’s roles was an admission that they committed the alleged crimes.
    He said for instance, the former Director of Finance and Administration of ONSA, Salisu Shuaibu, was called as the second prosecution witness.
    He noted that even though the charges before the case were not against Dasuki, the allegations of breach of trust, misappropriation and corruption leveled against the former NSA had been proved with the various witnesses called in the case.
    ‎Atolagbe added: “They said prosecution must prove breach of trust against Col. Dasuki. Even if that must be an element of the offence of money laundering, the evidence is enough to prove it
    “PW2 (Shuaibu) gave a very elaborate evidence of how he was instructed to just make payments without contract or any relationship.
    “Dasuki is not standing trial here. We don’t need to prove charge against Col. Dasuki here. He is being tried in another court. Even if that is what is required, we have proven it.
    “This is also an admission on their part that there is money laundering, so they should enter their defence.”
    Atolagbe faulted Agabi’s claim that the prosecution’s evidence was riddled with contradictions and inconsistencies in the charges.
    He said: “That cannot also stand, because money obtained in violation of Public Procurement Act, as admitted by the defendant, certainly cannot be legitimate.”
    Atolagbe asked the court “to direct the defendants to enter their defence” or enable them call witnesses, such as Dasuki and Jonathan, that they argued the prosecution failed to call.
    Trial judge, Justice John Tsoho adjourned to November 12 for ruling.

  • EFCC detains Fayose as ex-gov denies receiving N1.3bn from Dasuki, Obanikoro

    The immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose on Tuesday honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after the completion of his tenure and consequently losing his immunity from prosecution and arrest.
    After leading Fayose to the interrogation room, it was learnt that he was asked to write a statement explaining how he spent N1.3bn he allegedly received from the Office of the National Security Adviser through a former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, during the build-up to the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State.
    The commission also asked him to return the money.
    A source at the EFCC, however said the former governor refused to admit to collecting the money.
    He said, “We have treated Fayose with respect since he arrived in our office. We asked him about the money he received from Obanikoro and when he would return it but he is denying everything.
    “He said in his statement on oath that he never received any money despite the overwhelming evidence. The man is refusing to cooperate despite the overwhelming evidence we have.”
    It was learnt that as of 7 pm on Tuesday, the former governor was still writing his statement.
    The funds allegedly traced to Fayose were said to be part of the N4.7bn allegedly handed to Obanikoro by the then National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.)
    While about N1.3bn was given to Fayose, another N1.3bn was also handed over to the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State in 2014, Senator Iyiola Omisore.
    The funds were said to have been transported from Lagos to Ekiti State by air.
    Since the investigation began in 2015, the EFCC has interrogated over 20 persons.
    Apart from Obanikoro and Omisore, others interrogated by the EFCC include Captain Ahmed Borodo, the pilot whose plane was allegedly chartered by Obanikoro; Aide-de-Camp to Obanikoro, Lt. Olumide Adewale; and Fayose’s aide, Abiodun Agbele (who is standing trial for allegedly receiving the funds on behalf of Fayose).
    Others interrogated include bureau de change operators and senior bank executives.
    “Despite the statements made by all these people indicating that Fayose received money, the man is still denying the allegations,” an EFCC detective said.
    However, Fayose’s lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), said Fayose would not compromise himself in the name of administrative bail.
    Ozekhome said Fayose’s accounts had already been frozen by the commission and was already in court over the matter.
    On whether Fayose would return the money as demanded by the EFCC, Ozekhome said, “Which money are they saying he should return? Has he said any money is with him? They won’t dare tell him to return the money.
    “Fayose is not like other Nigerians that the EFCC will bamboozle and force and blackmail to make refunds. Why tell a man to refund the money he has not admitted to receiving when the matter is in court?
    “If they offer him an administrative bail with no strings attached, which is not a Greek gift, then he should take it.”
    Earlier in the day, before entering the EFCC premises, Fayose and scores of his supporters had created a scene at the entrance of the commission.
    Fayose, who wore a blue shirt with the inscription, ‘EFCC, I am here’, and a blue pair of trousers with a blue face-cap to match, arrived at the Tunde Idiagbon House, Wuse 2, which is the former headquarters of the EFCC, around 1 pm.
    The former governor, who clutched a backpack and a small duffel bag, was accompanied by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode; his lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), and several of his aides and supporters.
    Addressing reporters before making his way into the EFCC, Fayose said, “I am here in line with my promise that I will be here on the October 16.
    “And, as I said to the EFCC, they should await my arrival. This morning, they have been to my house; they cordoned off my street, which I feel was unnecessary. It was unwarranted.
    “When a man says he is coming, Nigerians should be given benefit of the doubt.
    “I had led Ekiti, and the best I could give, I have given. Therefore, every question, whatever they need to ask today, I will be able to respond appropriately.”
    Also speaking, Governor Wike said he accompanied Fayose in order to warn the EFCC to respect his rights.
    Wike added, “He wrote a letter to the EFCC that he will submit himself on October 16. He is hale and hearty and I believe that EFCC should know he is well. Our fear from the present report that we have is that he may be harmed.
    “But, let Nigerians know that he came by himself to the EFCC without anybody harassing him. So, that is why I brought him here today.”
    In his remarks, Fani-Kayode said the EFCC should remember that their actions were being monitored by the international community and they should not abuse Fayose’s rights.
    Ozekhome asked the EFCC not to keep Fayose for more than 24 hours as failure to release him would be an abuse of his rights.

  • 2019: Dasuki wins PDP Kebbe/Tambuwal federal constituency ticket

    Abdulsamad Dasuki, member representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency in Sokoto State, on Thursday clinched the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket to contest for the House of Representatives election in 2019.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dasuki, who is the current Chairman, House Committee on Navy, was returned unopposed through affirmative votes by 214 delegates drawn from Tambuwal and Kebbe local government areas.
    The Returning Officer, Mr Usman Muhammad, declared Dasuki winner of the poll and commended delegates and party supporters for their orderliness and cooperation that facilitated the successful conduct of the exercise.
    In his post election remarks, Dasuki pledged to continue to ensure good legislation on agriculture, health, education and economic empowerment.
    He also promised continue to use his experience to sponsor bills that would uplift the lives of his constituents and other Nigerians.
    He appealed to party leaders and supporters to woo more supporters to ensure victory for the party in the coming general elections.

  • Who says Sambo Dasuki should be set free? is the person ‘mad’? Godwin Etakibuebu

    By Godwin Etakibuebu

    I am not always so sure about the number of people in corridor of power in Nigeria who are sane. Our country is peculiar in all ramifications. It is very distinct from every other nation on this earth. It is a place where common sense is a scarce commodity. Yet, somebody from old; obviously one of our ancestors, called it “common sense”. The scarcity of it remains most pronounced at the arena where Nigeria is most heard – at the most top, within the corridor of power.

    What about sanity? Going “up there”; towards the corridor of power, to look for sane people is actually the beginning of madness in Nigeria. If one wants to meet with those that are driven with hundred percent sanity; sorry, there is no 100% sanity in any human being because in every one hour of our daily actions, we sometimes display a minute or so of madness, the best place to face is just going “down toward those in the valley”. It is there, within the locals or what l once called the “down-trodden Nigerians” that you can find both sanity and common sense.

    The recommended places for discovery of tested sanity; and also common sense, are there in the villages and hamlets across the nooks and crannies of this country. Sanity and common sense refused to follow those migrating from the rural areas to the urban cities or they [sanity and common sense] just refused relocation to the metropolitan places. This must have been the reason why these two most essential commodities are not the properties of the City’s dwellers.

    Even then there is distinct categorization between the successful city dwellers and the “ghetto-type” city dwellers in acquisition of these two commodities – sanity and common sense. The successful city dwellers are the glamorous politicians; both those voted for and voted against. They are those appointed into political offices by those that you and I voted for [sometimes those we thought we voted for actually “cornered or stole” the votes]. They are mostly the Public Servants or government appointee. They are those General Ibrahim Babangida called Elite Nigerians, whom he accused of “destroying Nigeria”. They are the most insane and totally lacking in common sense.

    The other group earlier referred to as “ghetto-type” of city dwellers, are Nigerians citizens also, except that they are not just privileged to be amongst the heavy thieves that are crown princesses and princesses in stealing billions and trillions of Naira. They are not those that are privileged to deploy the instrumentality of defection from one Political Party to another with arrant impunity. They are not those that deploy instrument of State to garner stupendous wealth that only death can “put asunder what kleptomania has brought together”.

    They are not those that have power of life and death over every other citizen, or so they thought. They are not even those that speak a plain language to those they employed, telling them “go ye to steal and multiply” or interpreting the rule of the game to them that “though shall not be caught”.

    In all, the difference between these two groups basically is that while was totally insane and lacking in common sense the other has common sense and replicated sanity. Let us look at an issue in today’s contemporary Nigeria to understand and be able to differentiate those that are mad and lacking in common sense from those that are the opposite camp.

    How on earth a Judge would ordered bail for Sambo Dasuki, saying that the former National Security Adviser should be released from illegal prison and go to the comfort of his house after just about “only” three years in detention? Is this Judge “sane”? Or is he not afraid of his own life? Ordering the release of General Muhammadu Buhari’s captive? Is the Judge not aware of “more than 100, 000 Nigerians that Dasuki killed”, according to the unsubstantiated allegation of the Attorney General of the Federation in an undocumented charge sheet?

    It seemed that this particular Judge did not know whom the current presiding “lion of the jungle” is and that is where the learned Justice draws my maximum sympathy. If only he had known the “Lord Mayor” he was dealing with to be the same man that traversed the Nigerian land scape between the early hours of January 1, 1984 and somewhere in the middle of 1986, he would have melted away with his judgment in the chamber.

    Or if he were to be “sane” enough, it would have helped him to reconsider his pronouncement. But someone told me that the Judge was fully convinced that he was dealing with a “born-again” democrat in the person of the once military maxim leader. Or it could be that the Judge just decided to throw caution to the wind in dispensing justice with the full understanding that history shall aggregate a place of honour in common sense and sanity to him when posterity will do justice to events of our time in years to come. And then, only then, shall separation of madness and uncommon sense be properly accommodated in the warehouse where they belonged, the “hottest place in hell”; as Senator David Mark once called it while presiding as Senate President some years ago.

    His Lordship Justice Ijeoma L. Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who gave the order was told that Dasuki “is being kept by the [Buhari’s] State; because this cannot be the Nigerian State obviously, in the interest of the Larger Public good because government [Buhari’s government] is about the people and not only for an individual”. Simply put, a Dasuki has no right to freedom, ditto life in a Nigeria where Buhari presides.

    This is the submission of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice for Buhari’s Nigeria, in defending why the government would never obey a Court’s order, releasing Sambo Dasuki on bail. Yet there is no charge of murder against Dasuki in any court of law in Nigeria except only in the wicked mind of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria acting as a defender of Nigerian citizens.

    The irony of the Sambo Dasuki case is the fact that this Court’s order for his freedom is the sixth along the line of such orders from different courts of competent jurisdiction. Yet, Abubakar Malami; the Attorney General, says no way for his principal in obeying this court order. In other words Malami’s principal; Muhammadu Buhari, choses which court order he obeys and which one he throws into the dustbin.

    But come to think of it, is it only the retired Army Colonel and former National Security Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan; Sambo Dasuki, that has no right to liberty and life in President Buhari’s Nigeria? The obvious answer stirs us directly on our faces. In the beginning, as the Holy Bible told us, the blood of Abel cried to God from the ground and the Holy God avenged that blood that cried to Him. Cain; the murderer of Abel paid for the blood of his junior brother even as a vagabond into eternity.

    What this episode amplified to mankind is that the God of heaven who is our Creator is a God of Justice and at the same time – God of Vengeance. He is a complete Avenger of all His creatures’ actions. As such, the present situation in Nigeria shall never escape his scrutiny and intervention. It means that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice chosen way of interpreting the courts’ pronouncement under review shall suffer a colossal damage within the natural temple of justice before long.

    I call this the tyranny of insanity and evaporation of common sense. However, justice; natural justice, shall reign and prevail at the end of this dark tunnel. It is just a matter of time.

    Godwin Etakibuebu; a veteran Journalist, wrote from Lagos.

    Contact: godwin@thenewsguru.ng

     

    • I am still putting the promised odyssey of my late friend; Ibrahim Coomassie, the former Inspector General of Police [1993-1999], who died on Thursday July 19, 2018, on hold as l should visit the family first before completing that assignment.

     

  • Why we can’t release Dasuki – Presidency

    Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), says the federal government cannot release Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser (NSA), because the allegation against him is a matter of public interest.

    The attorney-general said this in a Voice of America, Hausa, interview obtained by Premium Times.

    Malami said Dasuki’s right is not important more than over 100,000 people he was “instrumental to their death”.

    He said the mismanagement of funds meant for the military under the former NSA led to the deaths of many.

    Malami maintained that the issue affects an entire nation; so the discussion should not be about a single person’s rights.

    On Tuesday, the federal high court in Abuja served a warrant of release of Dasuki on the director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice.

    Malami said the government could resort to appealing the court order if it wants to.

    “What I want you to know is that issues concerning law and order under Muhammadu Buhari are sacrosanct and obeying court order is compulsory,” he said.

    “However you should also know that there is a general consensus world over that where the dispute is only between individuals, then you can consider the issue based on the instant situation. But if the dispute is about an issue that affects an entire nation, then you have to remember that government is about the people not for only an individual.

    “So, you have to look at it from this perspective. If the issue about an individual coincides with that which affects the people of a nation and you are now saying the government did not obey a court order that infringes on a single person’s rights. Remember we are talking about a person who was instrumental to the deaths of over 100,000 people. Are you saying that the right of one person is more important than that of 100,000 who lost their lives?

    “Reports have shown that there was massive mismanagement of funds meant for military hardware which the military could not access and that led to the death of many, embezzlement of the fund and because of that many people have lost their lives. Obeying the court is not the issue per say.

    “Are we going to take the issue of an individual more important than that of the people? The government’s main responsibility is for and about the people. The essence of governance is to better the lives of its people. So you have to weigh it based on that; the rights of an individual or the rights of the people.”

    DSS operatives arrested Dasuki in 2015 for “illegal possession of firearms” and diversion $2.1 billion from his office while he held sway as the NSA.

  • DSS may release Dasuki on bail

    The detained former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) may any moment from now be released by the Department of State Services (DSS) on bail.

    This was confirmed to journalists on Tuesday evening by a top official of the Federal Government, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

    According to the official, the DSS had already given the commitment that Dasuki would be released on bail once he met all the conditions given him by the court.

    “We have confirmation from the DSS that Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) will be allowed to go on bail if he meets the conditions set for him by the court,” the source simply said.

    The DSS was said to have earlier in the day been served court papers showing that Dasuki had met all his bail conditions.

    Dasuki’s counsel Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN) confirmed yesterday that the bail conditions of his client have been fulfilled and the ex-NSA’s family and associates are awaiting a positive response from the Federal Government and the DSS.

    Raji said: “I am pleading and begging the Federal Government and DSS in the name of God Almighty to please comply with court order on my client Col. Sambo Dasuki. We have served them with the court order and in the interest of justice and rule of law, I am begging this government, being a democratic government, to please respect the rule of law on Dasuki.”

    Family members, friends, associates and well-wishers of Dasuki yesterday stormed his Abuja residence in anticipation of his final release from the DSS’ detention, where he has been held by the Federal Government since December 29, 2015.

    The court, on July 2, granted Dasuki conditional bail, which he had perfected fully yesterday through his two sureties, who are standing for his freedom as ordered by Justice Ijeoma Ojuku.

    Although the sureties had anticipated that the detained ex-NSA would be handed over to them, sources, however, said the DSS boss might need to contact the Presidency before finally handing over Dasuki to the sureties in compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court.

    The warrant of release dated July 16, 2018, titled: “Verification of Bail Conditions” and signed by Deputy Chief Registrar, Federal High Court Abuja, Mr. Mba Nkem A. Omotosho, was served on the DSS Headquarters and the Office of Minister of Justice in Abuja.

    The warrant of release read in part: “Pursuant to the judgment order made on Monday, the 2nd day of July 2018, granted by His Lordship, Hon Justice Ijeoma L. Ojukwu, directing various conditions to be fulfilled prior to the release on bail of the applicant (Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).

    “I have scrupulously verified the entire conditions of bail as ordered by his lordship and the three ambits are fulfilled.

    “Hence, the respondents, the Director-General, State Security Services, and Attorney General of the Federation, are hereby notified as directed by His Lordship for the subsequent compliance of same.

    “Attached herewith is the enrolled Order of the court and all the necessary bail documents for your perusal and aggrandisement,” it concluded.

    Before the latest judgment by Justice Ojukwu, Dasuki had previously perfected bails granted him by four different judges of high courts, including Justices Ademola Adeniyi and Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court and Justices Hussein Baba-Yusuf and Peter Affen of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Courts.

    The ECOWAS Court of Justice had also ordered his immediate release from detention.

  • After two years in DSS detention, another competent court orders Dasuki’s release on bail

    …Lambasts FG for Disrespect to the Rule of Law

    After over two years in the detention of the Department of the State Security Service (DSS), a Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Federal Government to release former National Security Adviser (NSA) Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd) on bail.

    The reprieve for Dasuki who was clamped into detention since December 29, 2015, came in the judgement of Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu in the fundamental human right suit filed by the Ex-NSA.

    Dasuki who had been granted bail by four different High Courts in Nigeria and ECOWAS Court of Justice, in the suit argued by his counsel, Ahmed Raji, urged the court to compel the Federal Government to obey all court orders for his release from detention. In the latest judgement, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu ordered that Dasuki be released on bail in the sum of N200million and two sureties in the like sum.

    The court said that one of the sureties must be a federal government employee with not less than grade level 16 who must submit to the court his letter of appointment and the last letter of his promotion to pave way for the release of Dasuki.

    In the event of a private person standing as the surety, the court held that the person must have landed property in Abuja and must submit before the court original of the property and must also swear to the affidavit of means.

    Besides, Justice Ojukwu said the surety must deposit N100 million with the registrar of the court and that the money would be returned to the surety at the end of the trial of the former NSA. Justice Ijeoma also ordered that the surety must submit to the court his recent passport photograph and that his residential address must be varied by the official of the court as part of the bail condition.

    In the judgement that lasted over one hour, Justice Ojukwu lambasted the Federal Government for unjustly arresting and detaining a Nigerian citizen for over two years without any justification contrary to the provision of the law.

    The court dismissed the claim of the security agency that Dasuki was being held in protective custody on the strength of the alleged arm and ammunition found in his house. Justice Ijeoma held that although Dasuki in the instance case had been charged to various courts on the issue, the law however presumed that the former NSA is innocent of the charges against him until the contrary is proved beyond reasonable doubt.

    The judge agreed with counsel to Dasuki Mr Ahmed Raji that Dasuki never shuns any invitation for interrogation by any of the security agencies adding that from the affidavit evidence of the former NSA, it was cleared that he had been detained since December 2015 without any investigation or interrogation.

    The judge also dismissed the claims of the Federal Government that Dasuki was being held on fresh allegations of money laundering, adding that such claims should go to the graveyard because it cannot be used to justify the detention of any Nigerian for as long as over two years without being charged to court on any fresh allegation.

    On another claim by the Federal Government that Dasuki was abusing court process by filing multiple cases in court, Justice Ijeoma dismissed the claim for being baseless and frivolous adding that in the instance case parties are different from the previous one and as such the issue of forum-shopping cannot be used against Dasuki.

    In the event of any plan to investigate Dasuki, Justice Ojukwu ordered that such investigation must be conducted during working days and that the former NSA must not be detained for whatever reason and also ordered that his travelling passport should remain with the court.

    The former NSA had dragged the Federal Government and its agencies before for the enforcement of his fundamental right to liberty claiming that he had been unlawfully detained since December 2015 without being charged top court.

    The former NSA demanded the sum of N5billion as exemplary damages for the breach of his fundamental right and the detention without trial for over two years. Although Justice Ojukwu agreed that the former NSA was illegally, unlawfully and unconstitutionally detained, she, however, did not award any damage against the Federal Government.

    Reacting to the judgement, Counsel to Dasuki, Ahmed Raji said that the judge has rekindled the hope of Nigerians in the judiciary and promise that his client would do anything humanly possible to perfect the bail condition within a reasonable time.

  • FG presents alleged stolen prohibited arms, posh cars recovered from Dasuki

    The Federal Government on Tuesday revealed to the Federal High Court in Abuja, 11 posh cars and some prohibited arms allegedly recovered from the Abuja residence of the detained former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, during a search operation by the Department of State Service in July 2015.

    The items were revealed through the Federal Government’s first prosecution witness, William Obiora, an operative with the DSS who was said to be part of the search operation that took place between July 16 and 17, 2015.

    The prosecution said some of the firearms were owned by the Federal Government and belonged to the prohibited class of arms but were allegedly stolen by Dasuki while holding sway as the NSA.

    ‎Dasuki has been in the detention of the DSS for undisclosed offences since December 2015.

    Obiora, who testified behind a shield with his face masked, was led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Dipo Okpeseyi.

    The prosecution through the witness on Tuesday, tendered the search warrant executed on Dasuki’s residence at 13, John Khadiya Street, Asokoro, Abuja.

    Listed on the search warrant were 29 items allegedly recovered from the house in an operation which the witness said Dasuki personally witnessed.

    Many of the items particularly the firearms were during the Tuesday’s proceedings identified by the witness but yet to be tendered as exhibits.

    Part of the arms allegedly recovered from Dasuki were f‎ive Tavor X95 Assault Rifles, Macro Uzi rifle with serial number 60244; and Luger gun with number 033373.

    The items also included small magazine containing16 rounds of 9mm ammunition and bigger magazine containing 23 life rounds of 9mm ammunition and 36 rounds of live ammunition.

    He said one macro uzi with serial number 60244 and magazine with 16 rounds of live 9mm ammunition were recovered from a Range Rover car with registration number ABUJA – RBC 517 JN parked on the premises.

  • Arms deal: FG re-arraigns Dasuki, Secondus, Metuh, others

    …as court grants Dasuki bail again

    The Federal Government on Wednesday re-arraigned former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, former publicity secretary of the party, Olisah Metuh and others over their alleged involvement in the arms fund diversion.

    However, Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court granted fresh bail to Dasuki

    Dasuki was docked on 32 counts amended charges along with Aminu Kusa, Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital.

    The four defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all the 32 count charges.

    Apart from the dropping of former Director of Finance and Supply in the Office of the NSA, Salisu Shuaib, from the amended charge list, the charges were almost same with the old 18 count charges brought against the defendants by the federal government in 2015.

    Shortly after taking the plea of the defendants, the issue of bail was raised and counsel to Dasuki, Adeola Adedekpe, pleaded with the court to grant the defendants bail in liberal terms in view of the fact that the defendants have been attending their trial since 2015.

    The counsel to the federal government, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, did not oppose the bail application.

    The trial Judge, Hussein Yusuf, however, ordered that Dasuki and other defendants be allowed to continue to enjoy the bail he granted them in 2015 when they were first arraigned before his court.

    It will be recalled that although other defendants were allowed to enjoy the earlier bail, Dasuki was however re-arrested in 2015 at the Kuje Prison shortly after perfecting his bail conditions and has since been kept in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) even after other courts granted him bails.

    Meanwhile, Justice Baba Yusuf has fixed July 3 and 5 for the trial of the defendants in the new charges.

    The federal government had on April 30 filled the new 32 amended count charges to replace the initial 18 count charges brought against 5 defendants in 2015 before the same court.

    In the amended charges coming barely one year to the general elections, names of prominent politicians from the opposition party were listed as beneficiaries of the alleged diversions.

    Apart from filing new charges with fresh names, a new twist was also introduced into the trial by government as a key defendant in the matter, Salisu Shuaib, who was a former Director of Finance and Supply in the ONSA under Dasuki was dropped from the new charge.

    The amended charge was signed by Chile Okoroma, Director of Legal Services with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    At Thursday’s re-arraignment, no reason was adduced on why the former Director of Finance in ONSA who served along with Dasuki was dropped from the trial having being arraigned together since 2015.

    Among top Nigerians alleged by the federal government to have collected money from the former NSA are the current National Chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus; former Chairman Board of Trustee PDP, Tony Anenih; former PDP spokesperson, Olisa Metuh; Publisher of Thisday, Nduka Obaigbena; Iyorchia Ayu; Chairman AIT Raymond Dokpesi; Mouftah Baba-Ahmed; Bello Mohammed, Jonah Ogunniyi among others.

    Apart from individuals, corporate organizations were also named as beneficiaries in the new charges and they include AMP Solar Service, Afro-Arab Investment, Bam Project and Projecties Limited, Bob Oshodin Organization Limited, WEHSAC Farms Limited, Wehsac Limited, Dimaris Mode Coolture Limited, First ARALAC Global Limited, Stellavera Development Limited, Jawaz Multi-purpose Venture Limited, Little Italy Global Services Limited, Belsha Nigeria Ltd and Syvan McNamara Limited among others.

    It would be recalled that Dasuki, Salisu Shuaibu and three others were arraigned in 2015 on the same charge and pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.