.… his ailment can be treated here in Nigeria – Prosecution
Justice Ademola Adeniyi of the Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, fixed December 8 to deliver ruling on an application by the federal government, seeking to revoke Dasuki’s bail.
FG had in the application it filed pursuant to Section 169 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, also sought an order committing the former NSA to prison pending his trial.
Already, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, has contracted a private prosecutor, Mr. Oladipupo Opeseyitan, SAN, to handle the case for government.
Opeseyitan who announced his appearance at the resumed hearing on the matter yesterday, told trial Justice Adeniyi that he has gone before the court of appeal to challenge the ruling that permitted Dasuki to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.
He said that he has also filed a motion for stay of execution of the ruling, even as he urged the high court to put the ruling on hold pending determination of the appeal.
Responding, Dasuki’s lawyer, Raji, told the court that he was only served a copy of the motion yesterday morning, saying he would need time to reply accordingly.
It will be recalled that though Dasuki was on September 1, granted bail by the high court on self recognition, however, trial Justice Ademola Adeniyi, on November 3, while granting the defendant leave to travel abroad for medical treatment, varied his bail condition.
Justice Adeniyi ordered the erstwhile NSA to produce a surety that must be ready to face prosecution should he (Dasuki), go into hiding after his medical treatment in the United Kingdom.
The court further directed the release of his hitherto seized traveling documents, saying Dasuki should return same to the Deputy Chief Registrar, Litigation of the high court within 72 hours of his return from the three-week medical trip.
It was this order that government asked the court to vacate by revoking the bail granted to the defendant.
On why the bail should be revoked, FG, told the court that Dasuki is undergoing investigation by the committee auditing procurement of arms/equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence Sector from 2007 to date.
It said that an interim report of the committee showed that over $2 billion was allegedly embezzled and that Dasuki’s presence is required to assist in further investigations.
“That there is a Federal Government directive for the arrest of all those indicted by the report, including the defendant (Dasuki) and that the ongoing investigation which borders on money laundering against the defendant has not been concluded and there is fear that investigation might be tampered with on account of foreign visit by the respondent before the completion of investigation.
It maintained that the ailment for which permission was given to Dasuki to travel to the United Kingdom for treatment can be properly treated in the National Hospital, Abuja and other teaching hospitals in Nigeria.
Besides, FG, told the court that there is an intelligence report that Dasuki has concluded plans to take advantage of the court order releasing his international passport to escape justice and tamper with ongoing investigations.
Despite the permission of the court, FG, using operatives of the Department of State Service, DSS, prevented Dasuki from travelling outside the country.
He was subsequently arrested and handed over to the EFCC for interrogation over the alleged $2bn arms deal fraud.