Dasuki’s lawyer shuns court’s hearing for Benchers’ meeting

Federal High Court in Abuja has given permission to the Federal
Government to conduct its case in the trial of ex-National Security
Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, in the absence of his lawyer.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed gave the consent yesterday while ruling
on an application by prosecution lawyer, Dipo Okpeseyi (SAN), as
the former NSA’s counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), shunned court hearing
for Body of Benchers at the Supreme Court.

Dasuki is being tried before the court on offences of alleged
unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering.

When the case was called yesterday, Dasuki, dressed in white
native attire, stood up from where he sat on the right corner of
the court and went into the dock. But, his lawyer was absent.

An official of the court later drew the judge’s attention to a
letter from Dasuki’s lawyer, explaining his absence and seeking an
adjournment.

Daudu wrote the court to explain that he could not attend court
because he was attending a meeting of the Body of Benchers at the
Supreme Court.

Okpeseyi, who admitted being copied with the letter, said it was
unfortunate that the defence lawyer chose the meeting of Body of
Benchers over his client’s liberty and the court’s authority.

The prosecution lawyer, who agreed to return on the day
suggested by Dasuki’s lawyer, prayed the court to allow the
prosecution to proceed with its case should the defence lawyer fail
again to turn up on the next adjourned date.

Justice Mohammed agreed with Okpeseyi that the adjournment
sought by the defence “will definitely scuttle the trial, because
if the court were to refuse the application, the trial would have
proceeded in the absence of the defendant’s counsel.

“The defendant cannot defend himself if the trial is to go on. I
am of the view that adjournment should be granted in the interest
of justice.

“It is my hope however that the defence will sit up in this case
so that trial will go on unabated.

“I agree with the prosecution counsel that, if the defence
counsel is not present in court on the next adjourned date, or the
defence is not ready to proceed on the next date, the prosecution
is at liberty to proceed with the trial.”

Justice Mohammed consequently adjourned to April 9 for
continuation of trial.

Federal High Court in Abuja has given permission to the Federal
Government to conduct its case in the trial of ex-National Security
Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, in the absence of his lawyer.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed gave the consent yesterday while ruling
on an application by prosecution lawyer, Dipo Okpeseyi (SAN), as
the former NSA’s counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), shunned court hearing
for Body of Benchers at the Supreme Court.

Dasuki is being tried before the court on offences of alleged
unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering.

When the case was called yesterday, Dasuki, dressed in white
native attire, stood up from where he sat on the right corner of
the court and went into the dock. But, his lawyer was absent.

An official of the court later drew the judge’s attention to a
letter from Dasuki’s lawyer, explaining his absence and seeking an
adjournment.

Daudu wrote the court to explain that he could not attend court
because he was attending a meeting of the Body of Benchers at the
Supreme Court.

Okpeseyi, who admitted being copied with the letter, said it was
unfortunate that the defence lawyer chose the meeting of Body of
Benchers over his client’s liberty and the court’s authority.

The prosecution lawyer, who agreed to return on the day
suggested by Dasuki’s lawyer, prayed the court to allow the
prosecution to proceed with its case should the defence lawyer fail
again to turn up on the next adjourned date.

Justice Mohammed agreed with Okpeseyi that the adjournment
sought by the defence “will definitely scuttle the trial, because
if the court were to refuse the application, the trial would have
proceeded in the absence of the defendant’s counsel.

“The defendant cannot defend himself if the trial is to go on. I
am of the view that adjournment should be granted in the interest
of justice.

“It is my hope however that the defence will sit up in this case
so that trial will go on unabated.

“I agree with the prosecution counsel that, if the defence
counsel is not present in court on the next adjourned date, or the
defence is not ready to proceed on the next date, the prosecution
is at liberty to proceed with the trial.”

Justice Mohammed consequently adjourned to April 9 for
continuation of trial.