The immediate past National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki was yesterday granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja following his arraignment on a one-count charge of illegal possession of firearms.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Diri.
In his application for bail, JB Daudu, counsel to the former NSA, argued that Mr. Dasuki’s alleged offence was bail-able.
The charge bothered on his alleged illegal possession of firearms contrary to section 27(1) (a) of the Firearms Act, CAP F28, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Meanwhile, the court has confiscated the travelling documents of Col. Dasuki.
It ordered that any of the security agencies currently in possession of the international and diplomatic passports of the accused person, should forthwith surrender same to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the High Court.
His being on bail does not mean he will interfere with the investigation or disappear. His passport is with the state. We ask that he is bailed on self-recognisance,” he said.
The prosecuting counsel, who did not object to the request, urged the court to use its discretion.
In his ruling, Justice Adeniyi Ademola granted Dasuki bail on self-recognition, pending the determination of the charge against him.
The judge adjourned the case for hearing between October 26 and 27.
Dasuki has a BA in International Relations from the American Universities, Washington DC, and a MA in Security Policy Studies from the George Washington University.
He had his military training in several institutions in Nigeria and abroad including the Nigerian Army School of Artillery, Oklahoma, U.S Army Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth Kensas.
He was also a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Security Printing & Minting Company Limited