Dasuki: FG Delays Release Despite ECOWAS Court Ruling

The Federal Government has said Col. Sambo Dasuki will not be released anytime soon despite ECOWAS court ruling.

The court on Monday ordered the release of the former National Security Adviser, after being held in detention since last year.

In a statement by Salihu Isah, Special Adviser Media and Publicity to the Minister of Justice, the government needed to fully understand the content of the judgement before reacting.

FG Strengthens Dasuki’s Charges

Meanwhile, the government has moved to strengthen the charges against Col. Dasuki as it seeks to merge the separate criminal charges before two judges of the same high court. It persuaded the stall of proceedings on the 19-count charge bordering on alleged N32billion fraud. This will enable the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, and Dasuki’s lawyers, to have a meeting with the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC had alleged that Dasuki alongside other top officials to siphon over N32billion from accounts in the office of the NSA. The funds were then allegedly distributed to PDP delegates to ensure the emergence of Goodluck Jonathan as the sole candidate of the party. Acacia Holding Limited and Reliance Referal Hospital Limited, were also joined as defendants in the matter.

Meanwhile, another 22-count charge that borders on alleged N19.4bn fraud is still with the same court. This has a former Minister of Finance, Bashir Yuguda, former Director of Finance in the Office of the NSA, Mr. Shuaibu Salisu, former governor of Sokoto State and his son Attahiru and Sagir Dalhatu Bafarawa as defendants. Dahaltu Investment Limited, was cited as the 4th defendant in the case.

EFCC had alleged that the funds was part of about $2.1billion arms deal diverted to personal pockets.