Where is the former NSA?

chika ebuzor

May 18, 2017 10:01 AM

Dasuki was accused of allegedly diverting funds meant for the prosecution of the war against Boko Haram.

AGF Malami says the federal government cannot release Dasuki because the allegation against him is a matter of public interest.

The sudden inability of the Department of State Services (DSS) to bring the former National Security Adviser (NSA) to court has caused court proceeding to be stalled.

Dasuki was accused of allegedly diverting funds meant for the prosecution of the war against the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama, Abuja adjourned sitting to Wednesday, May 17, 2017, because of the DSS’ inability to produce the ex-NSA.

According to Punch, Dasuki was still not present in court on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, leading to another adjournment.

Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf, while speaking on the development, said “I only want to say that the proceedings of the court should not be taken lightly.

“Extraneous considerations must not be allowed to interfere with the course of justice.”

In his response, EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi c (SAN) told the Judge that Dasuki’s initial absence was an oversight.

Jacobs said “I contacted the Director of Legal, DSS, to explain the absence of the first defendant in court yesterday (Tuesday).

“He (the Director of Legal) told me it was an oversight and that the first defendant would be produced this morning (Wednesday).

“I made a series of efforts when I discovered he was not yet in court this morning, but I was unable to contact the DSS.

“I immediately contacted my client, the EFCC, for them to approach the DSS.

“My client later told me that the first defendant said he was indisposed and would not come to court.

“On account of that, I will be asking for an adjournment.”

In his reaction a defence lawyer, Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN) said “I also want to put it on record that we have been coming to court ready for trial; it is the prosecution that has not been allowing the trial to proceed.

“My Lord, quite honestly, I find it irritating that somebody said their failure to produce the first defendant in court was an oversight.”

“If they elected to keep him, they have the duty to ensure that they keep track of the dates of trial in court and they cannot say their failure to produce him was an oversight without any apology tendered to the court.

“I find myself in a position that I cannot oppose the application for an adjournment.

“But I pray your lordship to direct that those keeping the first defendant in custody should be alive to their responsibility by producing the first defendant in court at the next date.”

ALSO READ:Again, DSS fails to bring former NSA to court to face trial

The former NSA’s counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN) also told the court that he will not object to an adjournment.

Dasuki has been granted bail severally, but the Federal Government has refused to obey the rulings.

In October 2016, the ECOWAS court described the arrest and detention of the former NSA, Sambo Dasuki as unlawful and arbitrary.

chika ebuzor