'Buhari behind my continued detention,' says ex-NSA

dimeji akinloye

February 26, 2016 8:08 PM

Dasuki said Buhari instigated his detention through his comment during a presidential media chat in December 2015.

Sambo Dasuki (right) and one of his counsels.

The former National Security Adviser,

Dasuki, who has been detained since December 29, 2015, is accused of diverting $2.1billion meant for the procurement of arms for the Nigerian military for then fight Boko Haram terrorists.

READ: See photos of former Dasuki's properties seized by EFCC

Speaking through his counsel, Joseph Daudu, today, February 26, at the Abuja High Court, the former NSA said Buhari instigated his detention unjustly against the bail granted him by three different courts, through his comment during a presidential media chat in December 2015.

According to an affidavit filed in support of his application at the court, Dasuki said Buhari betrayed his emotions during the media chat when he openly told Nigerians that he (Dasuki) and Nnamdi Kanu, the pro-Biafra leader, could not be released on bail because they would jump bail.

He said since his re-arrest, he has been allowed to communicate with the outside world.

The former security chief therefore asked Justice Peter Affen to disallow his further trial until the federal government purged itself of the contempt of court which prevented him from filing effective defence because of his continued detention by the State Security Service, SSS, without having access to his lawyers.

In a counter response, the Federal Government counsel, Rotimi Jacob told Justice Affen that the charge against Mr. Dasuki is at the instance of the EFCC and not the SSS.

Jacob dismissed Dasuki's claim that his detention is illegal, explaining that when his bail conditions were perfected on December 29, 2015, he was released by from prison Kuje prison, but was rearrested by another government agency.

The lawyer urged the court not to grant Dasuki’s application because the SSS that rearrested him was not a party to the charges before Justice Affen who granted him the bail.

Justice Affen fixed March 4, 2016, to rule on the application.

dimeji akinloye