•AGF seeks ex-NSA’s bail revocation
From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
ATTORNEY-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), was yesterday absent at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja over the controversy surrounding the house arrest of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Mohammed Dasuki (retd).
He was expected to explain the reason behind the siege on Dasuki’s Abuja residence by the Department of State Services (DSS) in spite of the bail earlier granted him by the court.
Rather, the AGF filed an application dated November 20, 2015 asking for an order revoking Dasuki’s bail application and committing him to prison pending his trial.
Dasuki was charged with unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering. He had pleaded not guilty.
Justice Adeniyi Ademola had ordered the release of Dasuki’s international passport to enable him travel abroad for medical at- tention.
While ruling on Dasuki’s application for the release of his travel document, the court held that in criminal trial, every suspect is presumed innocent and that every Nigerian has the right to access medication anywhere of his choice.
He ordered Dasuki to return his international passport to the Deputy Chief Registrar, Litigation of the court within 72 hours after his return from the three weeks medical trip.
The court also reviewed the bail conditions earlier granted the former NSA; that he should produce a surety who will take his place should he refused to return to the country to face his trial.
But, at the resumption of hearing of the matter yesterday, Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and the prosecution counsel, Mohammed Diri, applied for a court order revoking Dasuki’s bail and to commit him to prison pending his trial.
Diri based his application on seven grounds including intelligence report that Dasuki has concluded plans to escape justice and tamper with ongoing investigation on procurement of arms and equipment.
He said the ailment for which permission was given to Dasuki to travel to the United Kingdom for treatment can be properly treated at the National Hospital, Abuja or any other teaching hospital in the country.
Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), lead counsel to Dasuki, objected to the prosecution’s application and reminded the court that yesterday’s business was for the Federal Government to tell the court why its order was violated by the DSS by laying siege on Dasuki’s house after the court had granted his overseas trip.
Daudu said the essence of his preliminary objection is to deny the government any indulgence until the court order is obeyed and that Dasuki’s absence in court was justified as he has not violated any of his bail conditions.
Justice Ademola adjourned the matter to November 26 to rule of the applications.
Dasuki has also sued the Federal Government over breach of his fundamental rights.
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