Buhari: Dasuki, Kanu can’t go on bail, despite court ruling

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that it would be unwise for the government to allow certain individuals who are undergoing prosecution in the courts to be allowed to go on bail, inspite of the ruling of the court that has granted them bail.

He specifically mentioned former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki, and operator of the Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu as examples of such people who cannot be allowed to go, no matter what the courts rule, for fear that they may jump bail.

The president Buhari spoke at his first media chat since his inauguration on May 29.
“If you see the atrocities those people committed against this country, we can’t allow them to jump bail.”
Buhari also affirmed that government has documents showing where monies stolen from the national treasury are lodged in different parts of the world.

He however stated that government is constrained to allowing the suspects defend themselves in the court of law.
According to him, “We have documents showing where monies have been lodged.”

“Our constraint is that the accused persons have to defend themselves in court. So, we cannot release their names to the public until the issues are completed in court. Whatever we recover will be presented in court. The documentation in court include bank statements and documents from Customs Service that are to be presented in court. Until then, we ask Nigerians to have patience.”

He also said, that “By the end of the first quarter of next year, we will tell Nigerians how far we have gone on the fight against corruption. I swore by the Holy Koran to defend the country’s constitution and the law. So, we will not put any body above the law.”

On the EFCC and ICPC
“We have to be very sure of the documents we get and we have to cross check records sometimes across countries and in the EFCC.

“Those who were engaged in the theft of oil were people of substance and have the wealth to hire the best of lawyers to defend them. We need to submit fool-proof documents to succeed in prosecution.
“How many people have ICPC prosecuted in the past? That is why we are being thorough now. By the end of first quarter of next year, we would be in a position to tell Nigerians how far we have gone.”

Read also: Despite meeting bail condition, Dasuki to spend New Year with DSS

On the Chibok girls

The president said government is looking for a credible leadership of the sect, to declare the whereabouts of the girls, but that so far, there is no credible information on the Chibok girls from security agencies of countries involved in the fight against the terror sect.

“We want to be sure that the girls are complete, safe and sound before we attempt any form of negotiation on the girls.
“We are still keeping our options open. If a credible leadership of Boko Haram is ready for negotiation without any condition we are ready to listen to them.

“We are working with Niger, Chad and Cameroun on the girls. We have no credible intelligence of where they are.”

On alleged corrupt party members
Asked if government was protecting some corrupt people in his party the APC, Buhari said, “I don’t pick anybody I know is corrupt, I accept responsibility for any corrupt minister. I did not pick anyone who is in court for corruption.

“I will sack anyone found guilty, and also ensure they are prosecuted. I cannot make the mistake of appointing anyone with corruption. Whoever is found to be corrupt would not only be sacked but prosecuted.”

On Internally Displaced Persons
“We have about two million IDPs, over 70% are women and children. Over 65% of the children are orphans.
“Some Nigerians contributed money, about 25 Billion Naira, a committee was set up to utilise the funds.
“Within the week I was sworn in, I went to Chad and Niger.

“I was impressed with the goodwill they gave Nigeria on this issue.
“The G7 has sent training teams, and have given us some military hardware.
“We are more concerned with the orphans, a chance for them not to lose the opportunity for education. Some progress is being made on the ground.”

On the Shi’ites army clash in Kaduna
President Buhari says he will only comment on the Shi’ite crisis after receiving reports of investigations by the police and Kaduna State Government.

On naira devaluation

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“No country can develop without capital projects. We are in very bad shape”.

“Personally, I don’t support the devaluation of the Naira. We handed over a secured country in 1979, but by 1984, nobody knew how much Nigeria was owing.

“The oil downturn is very unfortunate for this government.

“I will not support devaluation of the Naira. I need to be convinced that there is need for the country to devalue the Naira. Is it against the dollar or pound?

“We have our priorities. To provide money to fund the projects we have already outlined, and not for those who want hard currency to import textile and toothpick.”

On cars for presidency and the National Assembly
“I turned down a N400million car proposal for the presidency. I said the cars I have are good enough for 10 years. We are having problem with the National Assembly regarding TSA.

“I have to hold a closed-door meeting with the National Assembly regarding the cars they are trying to buy. I hope they haven’t bought them yet. They can’t buy cars for themselves and also take money in car loans.”

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