Sambo Dasuki’s Case adjourned till February 26th 2016

Dasuki trial stalled yet again, adjourned till February 26th 2016 : Today at Federal High Court In Abuja Nigeria, Sambo Dasuki (retd.), and his co-defendants for alleged diversion of N13bn, part of funds said to be meant for procurement of arms, was stalled before Justice Peter Affen of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday, Read Report From Different Media Group after cut.

 Naij.com Report.

The trial of former NSA, Sambo Dasuki has been stalled as the EFCC did not bring him to court early today

–  Dasuki later appeared in court at 10. 22 am accompanied by officials of the State Security Service (SSS).

– The case has been adjourned

The trial of a former national security adviser Sambo Dasuki and four others has been stalled due to the inability of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to produce him in court.

A Federal Capital Territory High Court on Tuesday, February 2 adjourned the trial as the prosecution made excuses for Dasuki’s absence in court.

On resumption of the case, at 9 am, the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs told the court that all the accused persons were all released having perfected their bail conditions.

However, he made an excuse for the second defendant (Dasuki) who he said could not come out immediately.

Jacobs said: “However, my lord, the second defendant (Dasuki) who is facing a criminal charge before the Federal High Court by the State Security Services (SSS) and was re-arrested after his release and has been in the custody of the State Security Services.” 

Jacobs said the SSS got a remainder for Dasuki’s appearances in the court got late.

“And as of when they were informed again, the SSS asked for some time for the second defendant to dress up,” he said.

Jacobs further asked the court to adjourn the matter to Wednesday, February 3 for commencement of trial.

To this the judge over the matter, Peter Affen said ”so what you are saying is that the SSS is holding the court.”

Jacobs also informed the court that the prosecution witnesses were on court for the matter. But Affen queried the need for witnesses when the accused person is absent.

Affen noted that issues like this compromise the expeditious trial of the matter.

“The law that we have given to ourselves has said that we should do this trials expeditiously,” Affen said.  He also lamented the possible clash of cases before various courts.

But the prosecution said that was not a case as the dates are carefully chosen.

Ayodele Olajide standing in for the minister of state finance, Bashiru Yuguda said he sees this case going through a long torturous journey with the attitude of the prosecution. Olajide however said he is not objecting to the prayer of the prosecution.

He also urged the court to use its discretion to give an adjournment for tomorrowas his colleague, Jacobs has not given a definite time for the appearance of the defendant.

Dasuki is standing trial alongside former minister of state for finance, Bashiru Yuguda, a former governor of Kebbi state, Attahiru Bafarawa and his son, Sagir for criminal abuse of public trust and misappropriation of funds.

Joseph Daudu representing Dasuki also agreed for an adjournment. He also asked for a discharge of the matter by the court.

Daudu said he is asking for a discharge of the matter because he lacks confident in the trial. He said his confidence is lost as the prosecution is not complying with court orders.

Akin Oluyimi representing Bafarawa’s son said: “there is no need for us to keep deceiving ourselves.”

Oluyimi pleaded that the prosecutor should serve on his team whatever paper he has served on this matter. But in his response, Jacobs said the third and fifth defendant are not party to all applications.

However, Affen advised that since the matters are interwoven and the parties are joined in the matter, it will be safe to serve parties with various applications so served.

Kayode Olatoke for fourth and fifth defendants aligned himself with the response of the second defendant’s counsel, Daudu.

After hearing response from all the counsels, Affen conceded the adjournment. He further adjourned the matter to Friday, February 26 for hearing of discharge application.

But over one hour after the session commenced, Dasuki appeared in court at 10. 22 am accompanied by officials of the SSS.

Meanwhile, the EFCC recently arrested one of its operatives following claims over extortion in the ongoing trial of Dasuki.

According to media reports, the accused, Abdulrahman Mohammed Biu, a deputy detective superintendent, was arrested on Monday, January 25, following intelligence report alleging that he extorted $150,000 from some military officers on the pretence of securing a soft landing for them in the on-going investigation into the arms deal scandal. 

Report From Punch Nigeria

 The trial of the immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), and his co-defendants for alleged diversion of N13bn, part of funds said to be meant for procurement of arms, was stalled before Justice Peter Affen of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday.

Tuesday’s proceedings could not go on due to the failure of the operatives of the Department of State Service to produce the ex-NSA in court ‎on time and the need for the other co-defendants to respond to an application by Dasuki to stop the trial.

The DSS only produced the ex-NSA in court on Tuesday at the point when Justice Affen was adjourning the case.
The judge adjourned till February 26.

Others who are being prosecuted along with the former NSA with respect to the 22 counts of N13bn fraud charges are a former Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu, a former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda; a former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, the ex-governor’s son, Sagir Attahiru, and a firm, Dalhatu Investment.

A development similar to what transpired in court on Tuesday had stalled the ex-NSA’s trial before Justice Baba Yusuf of the same Maitama Division of the FCT High Court on January 22‎.

Justice Yusuf had then adjourned Dasuki’s trial till February 4.

‎Dasuki is being prosecuted before the court on 19 counts of diversion of N32bn arms fund, along with a former Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu and a former Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Aminu Baba-Kusa.

‎Aminu-Kausa’s two firms – Acacia Holdings Ltd and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited – are also part of the accused.

In the applications filed before the two judges, Dasuki’s lawyer, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), argued that the prosecution lacked the right to continue to prosecute him.

Dasuki was re-arrested by operatives of the DSS on December 29, 2015 shortly after he was released from prison upon fulfilling the bail conditions granted him by Justice Yusuf on December 18.

This, in the view of Dasuki’s legal team, amounted to disobedience of the order granting bail to their client.