DSS, EFCC conflict stalls Dasuki’s trial for 2nd time in a week

A seeming conflict between two agencies of government the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Security (DSS) has again stalled the trial of a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki.

Counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), on Wednesday said he was informed by his client that Dasuki, was indisposed and could not be brought to court for the second time in a week by the DSS.

He made the disclosure at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, when the case came up in the court for the second time in a week.

Dasuki, who has been granted bail by the court, has remained in the custody of the DSS.

He is being prosecuted by the EFCC along with Shuaibu Salisu, a former director of finance and administration, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA); Aminu Babakusa, a former General Manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited.

The EFCC leveled a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N13, 570,000,000 against them.

Jacobs had at the last sitting on Tuesday, told the trial judge, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf that “I’m surprised he’s not here”.

On resumption of the case on Wednesday he said, “Yesterday, I promised he’ll be brought to court today, and I immediately contacted the director, legal department of DSS, who told me that Dasuki’s absence in court yesterday was an oversight and that the defendant will be produced this morning.

“I made series of efforts when I noticed he was not in court this morning to contact the director, but was unable to reach him, and I immediately contacted my client, the EFCC, who also approached the DSS.

Read also: Court adjourns Justice Ngwuta’s trial as FG fails to produce exhibits

“The information I received is that the first defendant will not come to court today on the grounds that he’s indisposed.”

Jacobs therefore prayed for an adjournment.

Counsel to Dasuki, J.B. Daudu, had earlier on Tuesday expressed worries over the absence of his client in court.

He, along with Akin Olujinmi, counsel to Mr. Salisu, who was present with Mr. Babakusa, had prayed the court to adjourn to May 17, and compel the prosecution to present him.

Following Dasuki’s absence again, the trial judge, Justice Baba-Yusuf, adjourned the matter till July 11 and 12, 2017 but warned that “the proceedings of the court should not be taken lightly, and that strains between agencies should not be allowed to interfere with proceedings.”

“The prosecution counsel, whom I know is passionate with his work should be allowed to do his job,” Baba-Yusuf added.

 

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