Following The Absence Of Defence Lawyers, Court Adjourns Dasuki’s Case

The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama has, Thursday, adjourned the trial of the embattled former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) following the absence of the defence lawyers, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN) and Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), who had written to the court that they would be in Kogi State for an election petition case today.

The pesiding Judge, Justice Baba Yusuf adjourned the case till 11 am, Friday. Dasuki is standing trial over charges bordering on alleged diversion of about N32bn, part of fund meant for the procurement of arms. Prosecuting counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), and other defence counsel in the case did not oppose the request by Dasuki’s lawyer.

Meanwhile, while his other co-accused, a former Director of Finanance and Administration in the Office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu, and a former Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Aminu Baba-Kusa, were present, Dasuki was initially absent from the court when the case was called earlier in the proceedings. This promted the Judge to stand down the case for about one hour while waiting for the arrival of Dasuki who was being conveyed to the court by operatives of the Department of State Service.

Recall that Justice Baba Yusuf had on December 18 gratned bail to Dasuki and the rest of his co-accused bail in the sum of N250m with one surety in relation to 19 counts of misappropriation of about N32bn meant for purchase of arms, On December 21, Justice Peter Affen granted bail to Dasuki and his co-defendants with respect to another sent 22 counts of misappropriation of ?about N13bn, which was part of the arms fund, in the sum of N250m with two sureties in like sum.

But upon being released from prison after meeting the bail conditions, he was reportedly re-arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services.