Since Buhari govt won’t obey court order granting me bail, I’ll no longer appear for trial —Dasuki

Embattled former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, rtd, on Tuesday refused to appear before Abuja Division of the Federal High Court for continuation of his trial.

He instead sent a detailed letter to the Registrar of the court giving reason why he should be absolved from submitting himself for prosecution.

He expressed dismay over President Muhammadu Buhari’s alleged high-handedness in handling his case and refusal to honour several court rulings ordering for his release.

In the letter which he personally wrote, Dasuki said it has gotten to a point when there must be an end to what according to him is “hypocrisy and lopsided/partisan rule of law” by the Federal Government.

He then detailed how Buhari government repeatedly ignored several court orders, including the judgment of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, which okayed his release on bail pending the determination of different charges against him.

The letter read, “Prevailing circumstances have prompted me to write this Letter to the Court, the hope of every Nigerian citizen. Unfortunately, it seems to me that the current administration has so much interfered with the judicial system, such that it has become practically impossible for the Court to maintain her independence, the administration of justice.

“The resolve to continue detaining me against the several orders of court and in brazen violation of the Constitution, is wrongful and arbitrary.

“It has inflicted physical, emotional and psychological torture on my family and me. The decision of the Federal Government of Nigeria is not only high-handed, it is also arbitrary and in violation of both domestic and international laws on human rights.

“At this juncture, it will seem that the Nigerian Government is not inclined to yield or obey the Orders of any Court of law, whether domestic or international.

“Ironically, the Federal Government still wants to ride on judicial wings to prosecute me, when it does not comply with the Orders that proceed from the Court, especially in relations to me.

“At this point, I strongly believe that there must be an end to this hypocrisy and lopsided/partisan rule of law. Since the Federal Government has resolved not to comply with judicial Orders directing my release, it is better for the Court to also absolve me of the need to submit my self for further prosecution.

“Justice should be evenly dispensed as opposed to same being in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Kindly bring this information to the attention of his lordship”.

But the trial Justice, Ahmed Mohammed, after listening to the letter said he was not going to recognise Dasuki’s letter, since it was forwarded directly to his court by the ex-NSA who personally signed it.

According to him, it was wrong for any party in a criminal matter, to directly exchange correspondences with the trial court.

The judge then directed the court clerk to return the letter back to whoever brought it.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Oladipupo Okpeseyi, SAN, told the court that Dasuki refused to be brought to court.

“My lord, it was this morning that he said No! I have written to the court that am not coming. No am not coming”.

Okpeseyi accused Dasuki of deliberately challenging the authority of the court since the case was specifically adjourned for continuation of trial.

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He argued that Dasuki continued detention had no nexus with the instant case, saying he was duly granted bail by the court.

He therefore applied for FG to be allowed to try Dasuki in absentia in line with section 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

Dasuki’s lawyer, Victor Okwudiri, opposed the application and urged the court for a short adjournment.

In a short ruling, Justice Mohammed said he had on April 10, when a similar incident happened, asked FG to approach the court with an affidavit, anyday Dasuki deliberately abstained from his trial.

“As at this morning, I do not have any affidavit from the prosecution for trial of the defendant to continue in his absence, otherwise, I would have made the order” he said.

He adjourned the matter till November 19 to enable FG to comply with the ruling requesting it to file an affidavit to try the ex-NSA in absentia.

Dasuki is being tried over alleged mismanagement of funds meant to purchase arm to fight insurgency group in the North East.

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