ABUJA, Federal Republic of Nigeria. Former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, who is currently standing trial for his involvement in the $2.1 billion dollars arms procurement scandal, has lost the bid to halt the trial after an Abuja Federal High Court dismissed his application to that effect.
Dasuki, in his application, had asked the court to stop the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) from investigating him due to an alleged disregard for the court order granting him bail.
Justice Baba Yusuf had on December 18, 2015, granted bail to Dasuki and the rest of his co-accused bail in the sum of N250 million with one surety in relation to 19 counts of misappropriation of about N32 billion meant for purchase of arms.
Also on December 21, 2015 Justice Peter Affen granted bail to Dasuki and his co-defendants with respect to 22 counts of misappropriation of about N13 billion, which was part of the arms fund, in the sum of N250 million with two sureties in like sum.
However, upon being released from prison after meeting the bail conditions, he was reportedly re-arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services.
Contrary to Dasuki’s plea, Justice Baba Yusuf ruled that the EFCC, was not in contempt of its ruling granting him bail on December 18, 2015 since it was the DSS that arrested him after the bail conditions were and not the EFCC.
The judge explained that EFCC can proceed with its case against the former NSA since it was not the Commission that arrested Dssuki on December 29, 2015.
The trial was adjourned till March 23, 2016.
Credit: The Guardian (Nigeria)
