Alleged N19.4bn fraud: Court Orders Counsel To Relate With DSS On Dasuki’s Appearance

An FCT High Court, Maitama on Monday ordered Mr Ahmed Raji, SAN, to take proper measures and relate with the Department of State Security (DSS), with a view to ensure that former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retired ), attends court for his trial in the alleged misappropriation of N19.4 billion arms funds.

Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf, gave the order when Dusuki failed to appear for his trial.

Justice Baba-Yusuf stated that it was proper for Dasuki’s counsel, to ensure the resolution of issues bordering on his client’s appearance in court for trial.

Baba -Yusuf , then adjourned the case until Oct. 8 for trial.

Dasuki is standing trial alongside four others, Bashir Yuguda, Dalhatu investment Ltd, Sagir Attahiru and Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, for allegedly diverting public funds worth N19.4 billion.
The EFCC charged them with a 25-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of public fund to the tune N19. 4 billion.
Earlier, the prosecuting counsel, Mr Oluwaleke Atolagbe, informed the court that the case was adjourned for trial.

According to him, at the last sitting, it was observed that the court received a letter from the DSS, indicating that Dasuki stated that he would not appear before the court for the case until some orders made by the other courts were obeyed.

Atolagbe said that the counsel who represented Dasuki that day, Mr Adeola Adedipe, had noted that since his principal, Raji SAN, was particularly mentioned in the said letter, he needed to see the letter and see what response they would make.

“As of this morning we are not aware of any response from the second defendant (Dasuki).

“The letter indicated that until counsel for the second defendant directs him to come, he would not come.

The second defendant is not in court for his trial,” Atolagbe told the court.

Atolagbe who held the brief of Mr Rotimi Jacobs SAN, further told the court that the past three adjournments of the case were due to the absence of the former NSA in court.

Atolagbe, therefore, sought an adjournment.

Responding to this, the counsel who represented Dasuki, Mr Victor Okwudili, contrary to the directive of the court that the said DSS letter be made available to parties, until this morning “we have not been served the said letter”.

He, however, did not object to the application for adjournment made by the prosecution.

Counsel for the fourth and fifth defendants, Mr P.A. Abba and that for the sixth defendant, Mr K.O Fagbemi, said that they had not received a copy of the said letter either.

They are not against adjourning the case, however, submitted that the court should grant a long adjournment to enable the prosecution and the second defendant resolve their differences.