Alleged N19.4bn fraud: Court Orders Counsel To Relate With DSS On Dasuki’s Appearance

An FCT High Court, Maitama on Monday ordered Mr Ahmed Raji, SAN,
to take proper measures and relate with the Department of State
Security (DSS), with a view to ensure that former National Security
Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retired ), attends court for his
trial in the alleged misappropriation of N19.4 billion arms
funds.

Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf, gave the order when Dusuki failed to
appear for his trial.

Justice Baba-Yusuf stated that it was proper for Dasuki’s
counsel, to ensure the resolution of issues bordering on his
client’s appearance in court for trial.

Baba -Yusuf , then adjourned the case until Oct. 8 for
trial.

Dasuki is standing trial alongside four others, Bashir Yuguda,
Dalhatu investment Ltd, Sagir Attahiru and Attahiru Dalhatu
Bafarawa, for allegedly diverting public funds worth N19.4
billion.
The EFCC charged them with a 25-count charge bordering on criminal
breach of trust, misappropriation of public fund to the tune N19. 4
billion.
Earlier, the prosecuting counsel, Mr Oluwaleke Atolagbe, informed
the court that the case was adjourned for trial.

According to him, at the last sitting, it was observed that the
court received a letter from the DSS, indicating that Dasuki stated
that he would not appear before the court for the case until some
orders made by the other courts were obeyed.

Atolagbe said that the counsel who represented Dasuki that day,
Mr Adeola Adedipe, had noted that since his principal, Raji SAN,
was particularly mentioned in the said letter, he needed to see the
letter and see what response they would make.

“As of this morning we are not aware of any response from the
second defendant (Dasuki).

“The letter indicated that until counsel for the second
defendant directs him to come, he would not come.

The second defendant is not in court for his trial,” Atolagbe
told the court.

Atolagbe who held the brief of Mr Rotimi Jacobs SAN, further
told the court that the past three adjournments of the case were
due to the absence of the former NSA in court.

Atolagbe, therefore, sought an adjournment.

Responding to this, the counsel who represented Dasuki, Mr
Victor Okwudili, contrary to the directive of the court that the
said DSS letter be made available to parties, until this morning
“we have not been served the said letter”.

He, however, did not object to the application for adjournment
made by the prosecution.

Counsel for the fourth and fifth defendants, Mr P.A. Abba and
that for the sixth defendant, Mr K.O Fagbemi, said that they had
not received a copy of the said letter either.

They are not against adjourning the case, however, submitted
that the court should grant a long adjournment to enable the
prosecution and the second defendant resolve their differences.

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