The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja and presided over by Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf has fixed March 16, 2017 for ruling on an application brought by a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) seeking to consolidate two separate charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Sambo Dasuki has been in detention for over one year over allegations of corruption
Dasuki is facing a 22-count charge of illegal diversion of N19.4 billion from the Office of National Security Adviser, ONSA account.
He was docked alongside former governor of Sokoto state, Attahiru Bafarawa and his son, Sagir.
Others arraigned with them are a former director of Finance and Administration, ONSA, Shuaibu Salisu and a former minister of state for Finance, Bashir Yuguda.
READ ALSO: Fayose paid his lawyer from N2.2 billion Dasuki loot hidden in his account – EFCC
They are alleged to have conspired to steal the fund which was part of the $2.1 billion meant for the purchase of arms to combat terrorism in the North-East using a company, Dahaltu Investment Limited, listed as the 4th defendant in the charge as conduit pipe for the alleged diversion.
A statement by the anti-graft agency says Dasuki’s counsel, Ahmed Raji, who moved the motion told the court that his application of February 22, 2017 before the court seeking to consolidate the two charges HC/ FCT/CR/42 and HC/ FCT/CR/ 43 against his client was brought pursuant to sections 211, 212 and 213 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015.
The counsel urged the court to grant the
On his part, the counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, opposed the application vehemently and informed the court of a counter affidavit he had filed dated February 28, 2017 to that effect.
“The application is very unfortunate. There was a similar application by the defendant dated May 21, 2016 before the court on the same prayer which was yet to be moved and never withdrawn and so it is a clear abuse of process,” he argued.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Court bars Dasuki from appearing at Metuh’s trial
Jacobs urged the court to remember that all parties had agreed to have the two cases tried before the same judge which necessitated a letter from the then president of the Nigerian Bar Association, JB Daudu, to the chief judge of the FCT High Court advising that the two cases be handled by a judge in the interest of speedy dispensation of justice.
He wondered why Dasuki is now applying to consolidate the charges if not as a ploy to frustrate the trial. Jacobs also urged the court to discountenance and dismiss the application.
The judge, after listening to the arguments of both counsels adjourned for ruling.
0naze
No comments:
Post a Comment