An Abuja Division of the Appeal court has ordered that former National Security Advisor to former president Goodluck Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki, be made to appear in the ongoing trial of former spokesman of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP ), Olisah Metuh.
Olisah Metuh is standing trial for allegedly receiving N400million from the office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA), Sambo Dasuki, who is under investigation for the misappropriation of the sum of $2.1bn (10billion) given to him for an arms deal.
In giving the order, the appellate court set aside the decision of the Federal High Court, which refused to compel Mr. Dasuki’s appearance.
Mr Metuh’s lawyer had insisted on Mr Dasuki’s presence in the court since the fund his client was accused of was given to him from his office.
The court in a brief ruling on Friday said the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court presided by Okon Abang was wrong to have regarded Mr. Dasuki as a “non-compellable’ witness in the matter.
The Appeal Court also ruled that the privilege given to the lower court to sign a subpoena in civil or criminal matter is not for the personal use of the judge but for the procurement of justice.
The Secret State Service(SSS) was thereafter ordered to provide Mr Dasuki during the next trial since he was in their custody for the past one year.