The Federal Government yesterday clarified its
position in the ongoing trial of former National
Security Adviser (NSA) Mohammed Sambo
Dasuki before the High court of the Federal
Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
It said the ex-NSA was being tried because he
was involved in various activities that bordered
on economic sabotage, compromise of the
nation’s security and endangering the lives of
Nigerian soldiers involved in the anti-terrorism
fight with members of the Boko Haram sect.
The government said investigation by Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
operatives revealed that Dasuki allegedly
diverted huge funds meant for the nation’s
security, with which he allegedly procured
properties in foreign cities, such as Dubai and
London.
It warned against granting bail to Dasuki on the
grounds that he could be attacked by relatives
of ill-equipped soldiers, who died in the anti-
terror war as a result of Dasuki’s alleged
diversion of funds meant for the purchase of
arms and ammunition for the military.
It said investigation had been intensified to
trace his assets in other foreign countries and
ascertain where the yet to be located stolen
funds are being hidden outside the country.
The government’s position is contained in a
counter affidavit filed by the EFCC against
Dasuki’s bail application. The affidavit was
deposed to by an operative with the EFCC,
Hassan Saidu, who said he was part of the team
investigating Dasuki.
“The offences being alleged against the
defendant/applicant border on economic
sabotage that strikes at the very foundation of
Nigeria’s wellbeing and existence.
“The security of the Nigerian nation was
compromised and the lives of innocent Nigerian
soldiers in the battlefront against terrorists
were endangered on account of diversion of
funds meant for the security of the nation by
the applicant herein.
“It is in the interest of justice to put the
applicant in protective custody so as to protect
him from a possible attack by the relatives of
the innocent soldiers who lost their lives due to
lack of adequate equipment and facilities
caused by the diversion of the funds meant for
that purpose.
“Apart from the cases that are pending against
the applicant, he is also being investigated in
respect of other criminal allegations. The
applicant acquired a large volume of assets with
the proceeds of crimes and my team is
currently tracing the assets and, if released on
bail, the applicant will interfere with the asset
tracing activities.
“The applicant transferred huge sums of monies
to various companies, whose identifies we are
still trying to trace. And, if released on bail,
the applicant will interfere and frustrate our
investigation. Our investigation also revealed
that the applicant transferred large sums of
monies outside Nigeria and he acquired several
assets in Dubai and London with these funds.
“The prosecution is prepared to prove its case
within the shortest possible time if the
application is refused and the court orders
accelerated hearing,” Saidu said.
The lead prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs
(SAN), arguing the counter affidavit
yesterday, urged the court to refuse the bail
applications by Dasuki and two others arraigned
with him on Monday on a 19-count charge of
criminal breach of public trust and diversion of
public funds. They are ex-Finance and
Administration Director in the office of the
NSA, Shuaibu Salisu and former Executive
Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation (NNPC), Aminu Baba-Kusa.
Jacobs faulted the argument by Dasuki’s
lawyer, Ahmed Raji (SAN), that a Federal High
Court, before which another case was pending
against his client, had ruled that the offences
are bailable. He contended that both cases were
distinguishable.
‘‘Money laundering is a secondary offence and
not a primary offence. But the charges before
My Lord here are primary offences. My learned
friend didn’t tell My Lord whether his client
was enjoying the bail granted him by the other
court before he was transferred to us (EFCC).
Every money laundering case has a predicate
offence.’’
Jacobs argued that presumption of innocence is
not a sufficient ground for the accused persons
to be granted bail. He noted that the status of
the first defendant would intimidate the
prosecution witnesses who had worked under
him.
‘‘They are not entitled to bail because they may
jump bail. I recognise that the granting or
refusal of bail is at the discretion of the court,
but if they will interfere with investigation of
other cases that will be instituted against
them, you can refuse them bail. If bail
application is filed, it is not automatic that it
must be granted,’’ Jacobs said.
On Raji’s argument that the charges did not
indicate that the alleged money was for
procurement of arms, Jacobs said the proof of
evidence showed the purposes for which the
money was meant, which was for the purchase
of security equipment.
Moving his client’s bail application earlier, Raji
urged the court to allow Dasuki on bail pending
the conclusion of his trial.
He argued that under the Constitution, an
accused is presumed innocent, no matter the
gravity of the charge before the court. Also,
the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015
has made bail possible in all cases.’’
Raji urged the court to discountenance Jacobs’
argument, particularly in relation to his claim
that the former NSA would interfere with
further investigation and witnesses in the
current case.
He urged the court to seriously consider the
ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja which
had earlier granted Dasuki bail in another case.
“It will amount to internal inconsistency. I urge
you, My Lord, to grant the first defendant
bail on very liberal terms, even if you are not
moved by the ruling by your brother at the
Federal High Court.’’
Justice Baba-Yusuf cut in, telling Raji that the
case before him and the one in which the first
defendant is standing trial at the Federal High
Court, Abuja are different.
‘‘Move the circumstances on which the bail
should be granted and that is what will impress
me,” Justice Baba-Yusuf said.
Salisu’s lawyer, A.U. Mustapha, argued in a
similar manner, noting that his client has served
the country meritoriously for 29 years.
“He is a responsible citizen of this country and
he is ready to defend himself. He needs his
liberty and unfettered access to his lawyer. He
also needs to consult his books. So, he needs his
freedom to be able to do all this,’’ he said.
Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf adjourned till
Friday for ruling on the bail application. He
directed that the defendants be further
remanded in the custody of the EFCC.

http://thenationonlineng.net/efcc-dasuki-diverted-cash-to-buy-houses-in-dubai-london/


cc: lalasticlala

k

It warned against granting bail to Dasuki on the grounds that he could be attacked by relatives of ill-equipped soldiers, who died in the anti-terror war as a result of Dasuki’s alleged diversion of funds meant for the purchase of arms and ammunition for the military

Dasuki is alive because he is under arrest! Even if he is not attacked by relatives of soldiers who lost their lives, he could also be killed by his former goons who may believe he will still mention their names as the investigation goes on.


Meanwhile, if you are in dire need of cash in this festive period, just text 'DASUKI' to 4199 to get part of the funds for arms. Terms and conditions apply

That is how they add value to other countries.

I can see Dasuki staying in jail till I become a great grand father

Abeg just sentence this man already before I hear say Obama follow chop for the money.

Owo baba buhari da pa

I b eye witness

isokay

Dasuki should just commit suicide already

There is no way this man won't have all his properties confiscated and sentenced to Jungle Justice(JJ) or Life imprisonment.

APC and BUHARI are just distracting Nigerians do whatever you want to do with Dasuki and those involved.

femmy2010:
Always investing those money in other countries

That's their main problem. No investment of it in the country that was stolen from. Great robbery

kossyablaze:
I b eye witness

DSS and EFCC, take note. He may be among the guys that got out of the money. Dont let him go oo.
What? No oo, you have something to tell them. Dont bribe me at all....... Em... This is him.

Dannyset:
There is no way this man won't have all his properties confiscated and sentenced to Jungle Justice(JJ) or Life imprisonment.

just be sure it's the Congo jungle. There are lots of tarantulas and orangutans.

The man (Dansuki) must not go Scot free . He who shied blood on the ground, must go the same way. JUSTICE !!!

osazeeblue01:
APC and BUHARI are just distracting Nigerians do whatever you want to do with Dasuki and those involved.

Abi na. Let them deal with the criminals/suspects on one hand and fix the economy/government on the other hand.
They shouldn't use Dasuki case to divert us from the situation on ground

dubai and london? what a shame

dasuki

Vikkie14:
DSS and EFCC, take note. He may be among the guys that got out of the money. Dont let him go oo.
What? No oo, you have something to tell them. Dont bribe me at all....... Em... This is him.

lol abeg tk dis 100k jor

Wicked man

lalalsticlala, please do justice bro