'Why we blocked Dasuki's medical trip' - Agency explains

dimeji akinloye

November 5, 2015 9:35 PM

It accused the former NSA of grandstanding and blackmail.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has reacted to the accusation of former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), that the agency is harassing him and plotting illegally to stop him from seeking medical attention abroad, which the court had permitted.

In a statement released on Thursday, November 5, the DSS said it blocked him from travelling because Dasuki refused to appear before a committee set up by the Federal Government to investigate a N2billion arms transaction by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Read: 'How DSS is harassing me and my surety' - Dasuki

Operatives of the agency had earlier today stormed Dasuki's Abuja residence, the move he described as violation of a subsisting court order, which granted him a relief to travel oversea for medical treatment. But the DSS denied the allegations, describing it as “unfounded and malicious aimed at tarnishing the good image of the Service."

The statement read, “It may be recalled that Dasuki was initially arrested and charged to court for unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering, for which reason his international passport was seized and on the order of the court, returned to the registrar for custody.

Read: DSS agents invade former NSA’s Abuja home

“What has however brought the seeming standoff between Dasuki and the Service, despite the court-ordered release of his international passport on November 4, 2015, is his refusal to appear before a Committee undertaking the investigation of an entirely different case.

“The public may wish to note that the government set up the committee to investigate procurement processes relating to a $2billion arms transaction by the last administration, under which Sambo was the NSA.

“It was on this premise that he was invited by the Committee to shed more light on his involvement in the deal. It therefore remains surprising and shocking that Sambo has refused to honour invitations of the committee but instead resorts to grandstanding and subtle blackmail of the Service.

“His refusal to appear before the committee has left the Service with no option than to adopt legal means to ensure his attendance.”

The agency accused Dasuki of scheming to evade justice.

dimeji akinloye