Sambo Dasuki
Dasuki Never
Sambo Dasuki
Dasuki Never Wished to be Kept in DSS Custody … Lawyer
Debunks DSS Claim
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mr Ahmed Raji has clarified
that the detained former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col
Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd) has never wished or prayed that he be
kept in the detention camp of the Department of State Security
(DSS) for whatever reason.
The senior lawyer disclosed that contrary to the position of the
Department of State Service (DSS) that Dasuki and others in its
custody preferred to be kept in its custody than in prison custody,
Dasuki is bent on pursuing his release from DSS custody.
Dasuki has been in custody of the DSS since 2015 despite been
granted bail by four different courts in the country, including the
Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS).
He is standing trial on alleged diversion of funds meant for
procurement of arms to fight insurgency and illegal possession of
firearms.
Though he pleaded not guilty to the charges and has been granted
bail, but the federal government has refused to release him on bail
even after meeting the attached bail conditions.
However, in a statement last week, spokesman of the department,
Peter Afunanya told Nigerians that many of those in their custody,
including Colonel Dasuki (rtd.), have opted to remain in their
custody, adding that they appealed to courts to be left in the
custody of the Service and not the prson
The reason, according to the agency, is the quality of the
holding facilities provided by the DSS, all of which, are
purportedly good and within international standards.
But in a swift reaction, Raji SAN who described the DSS position
as untrue, specifically as it relates to Dasuki said, “This
Statement, as alluring as it sounds, is a contradiction of the
events that have taken place since 2015, when charges were first
preferred against Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki”.
The senior lawyer, who made Dasuki’s position known in a press
statement released to journalists, queried why an individual will
choose to remain in custody, contrary to his constitutional and
internationally enshrined fundamental human rights, and still
continuously, challenge his unlawful detention at both National and
International fora?
“It is therefore most incorrect and inaccurate to claim that
Col. Dasuki prayed the Court to be kept in DSS facility.
“This is far from the truth. Perhaps, there is no synergy
between the Counsel appearing for the government in Dasuki matters
and the DSS hierarchy.
“Consequently, we appeal to all authorities and principally –
DSS, to comply with the various extant orders of the Court, by
immediately releasing Col. Dasuki. (rtd.)
Raji in the statement gave account of how Dasuki was arraigned
before the various courts and consequently granted bail on all
occasions.
“On 3rd November 2015, the Federal High Court – Abuja, after
admitting Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (Rtd.) to bail on
self-recognizance, granted him leave to travel abroad for a
three-week medical consultation, on account of failing health.
“As expected of an individual seeking to enjoy the bail terms
granted by the Court and the constitutionally protected presumption
of innocence in his favour, Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd.)
attempted to seek the necessary medical attention but officers of
Department of State Service (DSS) laid siege on his house in
Asokoro, in brazen defiance of the order of Court; and thereby
deliberately disallowed him from accomplishing the terms of the
Order.
“The Federal Government, while confirming the continued
detention of Col. Dasuki, explained that such actions were due to
the severity of the alleged offences.
“Excerpts of these events were well stated in several reports of
National Dailies of 31st December, 2015.
“In complying with the due process of law, Col. Dasuki filed
processes seeking to extend the travel period granted by the
Federal High Court and DSS vehemently opposed the application, and
continued to barricade Col. Dasuki’s residence.
“Shortly thereafter, two separate charges were preferred against
him at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in
Charge No. FCT/CR/42/2015 & Charge No. FCT/CR/43/2015 against
Col. Dasuki, while DSS continued to detain him on purported
investigation on allegations of money laundering offences.
“Bail was subsequently granted on the charges on December 21,
2015 and December 18, 2015, terms of which were duly complied
with.
“Consequently, he was released by the Kuje Prison authorities
where he was remanded, but on stepping out of the gate of the
Prison, he was seized by the men of DSS and he has been kept by
them since”.
Raji stressed that since the re-arrest of Col. Dasuki in
December 2015, no further investigation was carried out and no new
charges were preferred against him.