Retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, erstwhile National Security Adviser in the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, has also been released shortly after Omoyele Sowore was let go.
Mr Ahmed Raji (SAN) and Dasuki’s lawyer, confirmed his release on Tuesday evening.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had held Dasuki in custody for more than four years in spite of fiver bails granted by the courts.
His release on Tuesday in Abuja followed the directives of the Federal Government.
International community and human rights and civil society as well as lawyers had called on the Federal Government to obey court orders and release all those in custody.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN) had directed the DSS to release the Sahara Reporters publisher and Dasuki.
Malami’s statement reads: “The Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation has reviewed the pending criminal charges against the duo of Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) and Omoyele Sowore.
“Whilst the Federal High Court has exercised its discretion in granting bail to the defendants in respect of the charges against them, I am also not unmindful of the right of the Complainant/Prosecution to appeal or further challenge the grant of bail by the court, having regard to extant legal provisions, particularly Section 169 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
“However, my office has chosen to comply with the court orders while considering the pursuit of its rights of appeal and/or review of the order relating to the bail as granted or varied by the courts.
“In line with the provisions of Section 150(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and in compliance with the bail granted to Col. Sambo Dasuki (Rtd) (as recently varied by the Court of Appeal); and the bail granted to Omoyele Sowore, I have directed the State Security Services to comply with the order granting bail to the defendants and effect their release.
Author
Leave a comment