ABUJA— Former National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo Dasuki, says he will not answer to a court trial until the Federal Government of Nigeria comply with an order of the Federal High Court granting him bail.
The retired Col was granted bail on November 2015 by Justice Adeniyi Ademola but the Department of State Services, DSS, rearrested him shortly after his release from Kuje prison. Counsel to the DSS, Dipo Okpeseyi (SAN), announced to the court, Tuesday, February 16, 2016 that the prosecution was ready for trial to commence.
But Joseph Daudu, counsel to Dasuki, said the defence counsel was not ready to proceed with the trial because the Federal Government was still keeping the accused person in detention, despite an order of the court granting him bail.
“We cannot be ready for trial until the defendant enjoys his constitutional rights. We apply that we should be given time to prepare the defence. The conduct of the prosecution has not enabled him to enjoy his constitutional rights. The worst thing is that for about seven weeks we have had no idea of his whereabouts,” Dauda said.
However, Okpeseyi argued that the prosecution was not stopping Dasuki from enjoying his freedom, saying the accused person was not allegedly held for the charges before the court. He, therefore, asked the court to reject the request for adjournment and to commence trial. But the court adjourned till March 3 for the hearing on a motion to discharge Dasuki.
