The trial of a former national security adviser Sambo Dasuki and four others has been stalled due to the inability of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to produce him in court.
A Federal Capital Territory High Court on Tuesday, February 2 adjourned the trial as the prosecution made excuses for Dasuki’s absence in court.
On resumption of the case, at 9 am, the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs told the court that all the accused persons were all released having perfected their bail conditions.
However, he made an excuse for the second defendant (Dasuki) who he said could not come out immediately.
Jacobs said: “However, my lord, the second defendant (Dasuki) who is facing a criminal charge before the Federal High Court by the State Security Services (SSS) and was re-arrested after his release and has been in the custody of the State Security Services.”
Jacobs said the SSS got a remainder for Dasuki’s appearances in the court got late.
“And as of when they were informed again, the SSS asked for some time for the second defendant to dress up,” he said.
Jacobs further asked the court to adjourn the matter to Wednesday, February 3 for commencement of trial.
To this the judge over the matter, Peter Affen said ”so what you are saying is that the SSS is holding the court.”
Jacobs also informed the court that the prosecution witnesses were on court for the matter. But Affen queried the need for witnesses when the accused person is absent.
“How can you have witnesses if the accused persons are not here?” Affem asked.
Affen noted that issues like this compromise the expeditious trial of the matter.
“The law that we have given to ourselves has said that we should do this trials expeditiously,” Affen said. He also lamented the possible clash of cases before various courts.
But the prosecution said that was not a case as the dates are carefully chosen.
Ayodele Olajide standing in for the minister of state finance, Bashiru Yuguda said he sees this case going through a long torturous journey with the attitude of the prosecution. Olajide however said he is not objecting to the prayer of the prosecution.
He also urged the court to use its discretion to give an adjournment for tomorrow as his colleague, Jacobs has not given a definite time for the appearance of the defendant.
Dasuki is standing trial alongside former minister of state for finance, Bashiru Yuguda, a former governor of Kebbi state, Attahiru Bafarawa and his son, Sagir for criminal abuse of public trust and misappropriation of funds.
Joseph Daudu representing Dasuki also agreed for an adjournment. He also asked for a discharge of the matter by the court.
Daudu said he is asking for a discharge of the matter because he lacks confident in the trial. He said his confidence is lost as the prosecution is not complying with court orders.
Akin Oluyimi representing Bafarawa’s son said: “there is no need for us to keep deceiving ourselves.”
Oluyimi pleaded that the prosecutor should serve on his team whatever paper he has served on this matter. But in his response, Jacobs said the third and fifth defendant are not party to all applications.
However, Affen advised that since the matters are interwoven and the parties are joined in the matter, it will be safe to serve parties with various applications so served.
Kayode Olatoke for fourth and fifth defendants aligned himself with the response of the second defendant’s counsel, Daudu.
After hearing response from all the counsels, Affen conceded the adjournment. He further adjourned the matter to Friday, February 26 for hearing of discharge application.
But over one hour after the session commenced, Dasuki appeared in court at 10. 22 am accompanied by officials of the SSS.
Meanwhile, the EFCC recently arrested one of its operatives following claims over extortion in the ongoing trial of Dasuki.
According to media reports, the accused, Abdulrahman Mohammed Biu, a deputy detective superintendent, was arrested on Monday, January 25, following intelligence report alleging that he extorted $150,000 from some military officers on the pretence of securing a soft landing for them in the on-going investigation into the arms deal scandal.
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