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Dasuki’s trial at the Federal High Court today took
another dimension as the federal government added a
Col. Sambo Dasuki at the Federal High Court Abuja
The prosecution counsel, Shuaib Labaran, filed the
fresh charge against Dasuki and also prayed the court
to grant his request for a secret trial as well as masking
the witnesses brought by the Department of State
Services (DSS), among others.
According to the report, Labaran also accused the
former NSA of possessing some cash found in his
house. He also asked that the hearing be open to only
accredited journalist.
Col. Sambo Dasuki at the Federal High Court Abuja
Joseph Daudu (SAN), the defence counsel, in
contrary sees the case as harmless. As a result, he
vehemently opposed the application arguing against
secret trial in a democratic dispensation .
Daudu further argued that during military rule, trial
of this nature was held openly. He insisted that in a
democratic era, the entrenchment of rule of law will be
the greatest casualty if trial of this nature is made in
secret.
“After all, the identity of the witnesses which the
prosecution sought to hide is already in the public domain.
Therefore the prosecution seem to be urging the court to
embark on mere academic exercise.”
Former national security adviser Col.Sambo Dasuki,
his counsel Ahmed Raji, former governor of Sokoto
state Alhaji Attahiru Baffarawa at the Federal High
Court Abuja
“We consider the trial as harmless to the witnesses. If you
make the witnesses anonymous then we may lack the
ability to conduct background checks. Even trial of
treasonable felony and coup d’tat the witnesses are not
hidden and we are in a democracy.”
“Also for the fact that there has not been cases in this
court where witnesses are being molested and in this case,
it will be a case of injustice if the defence counsel and
witnesses are known and the prosecution witnesses who
are armed and can protect themselves are shielded. I think
all the motions and counter-affidavit have been charged and
The defence counsel also asked the court to release the
travel documents of the accused to enable him travel
abroad for medical check-up.
The former president of the Nigeria Bar Association
said his client was scheduled to travel for medical
treatment a day before his arrest.
However, the prosecuting counsel requested for
adjournment to enable his team react to the motion for
release of Dasuki’s travel documents.
Dasuki was granted bail on self-recognizance while
the presiding Judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, fixed
Wednesday, October 28, 2015, for ruling.
For the past two months, Dasuki’s trial has been a
subject of discussion. He is alleged of being in
possession of ammunition without the requisite licence.
On September 1 , prosecution counsel had told the
court that Dasuki was charged with the unlawful
possession of firearms without a licence which Dasuki
pleaded not guilty.
Justice Ademola then granted Dasuki bail on self-
recognition but ordered that his passport and other
travel documents be deposited with the deputy court
registrar while the case was adjourned till October 26
and 27 for the hearing.
Additional reports by Nnenna Ibeh
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