Court Orders FG To Allow Dasuki Access His Lawyers

An Abuja High Court has ordered the Federal Government to allow former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki to have access to his lawyers during working hours to enable him defend himself on charges brought against him by the state.

Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf gave the order following an application by Dasuki’s lead counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN) that he and other lawyers in the ex-NSA’s legal team had no access to their client.

The Senior Advocate told the court that because they had no access to him, they could not get enough information for his defence.

Sambo Dasuki and two other persons: Shuaibu Salisu, former Director of Finance, ONSA and ‎Aminu Baba-Kusa, former NNPC Executive Director, were arraigned for diversion of N13.6 billion meant for purchase arms.

The other defendants were Acacia Holding Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited.

At the resumed hearing Wednesday, Adebisi Adeniyi, who held brief for lead prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), informed the court that his team was ready with its witnesses.

Dasuki’s counsel, Joseph Daudu objected and applied for long adjournment because the defence had no access to the former NSA and had an application before the Court of Appeal.

But Adeniyi opposed the application for longer adjournment and prayed the court not to grant defence counsel’s application.

Adeniyi reminded the court that the State Security Service said it never received any request for access from anybody.

The prosecuting counsel said there was no concrete evidence before the court on why such application should be granted.

After listening to the counsel, Justice Baba-Yusuf ordered that Dauski should be made available to his lawyers to enable them get information that would aid them in his defence.

The court adjourned the case till May 3, 2016 for continuation of hearing.