The travails of the former National Security Adviser, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, appear to be far from over as he and three others were re-arraigned on Tuesday before a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja over an alleged N33.2 billion fraud.
Persecondnews reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought the charges against Dasuki alongside a former General Manager of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Aminu Baba-Kusa, as well as two companies—Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited.
The defendants are facing a 32-count charge alleging criminal breach of trust and dishonest release of public funds.
The re-arraignment of the defendants before Justice Charles Agbaza came after the FCT Chief Judge, Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf, reassigned the case, which was previously under his purview.
Persecondnews had reported that Dasuki was first arraigned on December 14, 2015, before Justice Baba-Yusuf, alongside a former Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Shuaibu Salisu, on a 19-count charge linked to an alleged N15.5 billion fraud.
Following an amendment to the charges, Salisu’s name was dropped.
Dasuki and the remaining defendants were then re-arraigned on May 11, 2018, to face a new 32-count charge involving N33.2 billion.
However, the trial was stalled after the prosecution presented only one witness, the investigating officer, who had yet to conclude his testimony when the case was indefinitely adjourned.
Also, In 2015, the EFCC filed another case against Dasuki, charging him alongside Bashir Yuguda, a former Minister of State for Finance; Attahiru Bafarawa, a former Sokoto State governor; his son, Sagir Bafarawa; and Dalhatu Investment Limited, his company.
The defendants faced a 25-count charge for allegedly misappropriating N19.4 billion and breaching public trust.
The case has recently been transferred to the court of Justice Yusuf Halilu.
Both trials were repeatedly delayed because the Department of State Services(DSS) refused to release Dasuki on bail, despite multiple court orders granting him bail.
At Tuesday’s resumed hearing, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the 32-count charge read out to them.
Following the pleas, prosecution counsel Oluwaleke Atolagbe requested a trial date.
Lawyers for Dasuki and Baba-Kusa, Mr. A.A. Usman and Mr. Richard Ibiye, requested that the court permit their clients to remain on their existing bail, citing their impeccable attendance record at all court proceedings.
The prosecution did not object to the request, but emphasized that the defendants must be present throughout the trial.
After weighing arguments from both sides, Justice Agbaza ruled that the defendants should retain their existing bail, and subsequently adjourned the trial until July 1.
Dasuki’s tenure as National Security Adviser (NSA) during Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency was marked by controversy.
He was appointed in 2012 and served until 2015.
During his time as NSA, Dasuki was responsible for overseeing the country’s security apparatus, including the military’s efforts to combat Boko Haram.
However, his tenure was marred by allegations of corruption and mismanagement of funds meant for arms procurement.
It was reported that he dominated the security environment, taking control of defense contracts and funds, which were previously managed by the Ministry of Defence.
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