The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday
filed a motion at a federal capital territory (FCT) high court,
seeking separate trial for Sambo Dasuki, former national security
adviser (NSA).
In 2015, the anti-graft agency had preferred charges against
Dasuki in two separate suits before Hussein Baba-Yusuf, a judge of
the FCT high court.
In the first suit, the former NSA was tried alongside Bashir
Yuguda, former minister of state for finance; Attahiru Bafarawa,
former Sokoto state governor; his son, Sagir and his company,
Dalhatu Investment Limited.
They were charged on a 25-count charge bordering on criminal
breach of trust and misappropriation of public fund to the tune
N19.4 billion.
In the other suit, he was tried alongside Aminu Baba- Kusa, a
former general manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
(NNPC), and two firms: Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance
Referral Hospital Limited.
They were rearraigned on an amended 32-count charge bordering on
criminal breach of trust, dishonest release and receiving various
sums of money to the tune of N33.2 billion.
In an open letter in 2018, 2018, Dasuki said he would no longer
attend trial until the Department of State Services (DSS) complies
with orders of different courts which ordered his release.
At the last adjourned date, Rotimi Jacobs, the EFCC counsel,
expressed dissatisfaction over the continuous absence of Dasuki in
the cases.
“We can’t be in the same place for four years without moving,”
he said.
He informed the court that the prosecution had filed a motion
dated November 4, seeking the continuation of trial in Dasuki’s
absence.
Jacobs also added that the charges against the other defendants
in both suits might be amended to remove Dasuki’s name to enable
other defendants face their trial without further delay.
Responding, Solomon Umoh, counsel to Baba-Kusa, vehemently
objected to the submissions of the prosecution.
He said Dasuki is central to the charge against other defendants
and that if he is separated others will not get fair trial.
Court session did not hold as scheduled on Wednesday. The case
was adjourned till February 13, 2020, to hear the separation
separation filed by the prosecution.
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