Abuja: The Federal High Court in Abuja has mandated the Federal Government to finalize the prosecution of former National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, by September. The case, which has lingered for a decade, involves charges of unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Justice Peter Lifu has scheduled September 24, 25, and 26 as the dates for the Federal Government to present any remaining witnesses and submit all necessary exhibits to support the charges against Dasuki. Initially arraigned in 2015, Dasuki faces a seven-count amended charge and is expected to begin his defense once the prosecution concludes its case.
During the last court session, prosecution witness Monsur Mohammed, an exhibits keeper with the Department of State Services (DSS), testified about the search of Dasuki’s properties in Abuja, Kaduna, and Sokoto for arms and cash following his arrest. Under the guidance of prosecution counsel Mr. Oladipupo Okpeseyi (SAN), Mohammed detailed the items recovered from Dasuki’s Abuja residence at 46, Nelson Mandela Street, Asokoro. The list included two Compact Discs of Freedom Radio on Jokolo, two GT Bank Cheque books, two BlackBerry phones, a Nokia phone, a flash drive, an Apple Laptop, and a statement of account.
Additional items found were a Visa card, an approval letter for a radio station granted to Afri-Media Integrated Ltd, a CD on the arrest and execution of Mohammed Yusuf, 500 US Dollars, and 533 Saudi Riyals. An HSBC account book and a Cheque book of Habibson Ltd belonging to Abubakar Ibrahim were also recovered. These items were admitted into evidence as Exhibits MSD 015 to 034 without objection from Dasuki’s lawyer, Mr. Ahmed Usman.
In Dasuki’s Sabo Birni residence in Sokoto State, the exhibits keeper claimed that 150,000 dollars were found and subsequently deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria. The prosecution intends to request the DSS to present the cash in court as evidence. However, no items were found at Dasuki’s house on Sultan Abubakar Road, Sokoto.
At this juncture, the federal government counsel requested an adjournment to gather and present other items discovered during the execution of four search warrants on Dasuki’s properties. Justice Lifu granted the adjournment and instructed the federal government to be prepared to conclude its case, allowing Dasuki to commence his defense. The case was adjourned until September 24, 25, and 26.
