I am being punished by powers that be- Dasuki
Fri Jun 24, 2016 07:46:am National
1.6K By Buchi Obichie
Former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), who is standing trial on charges of unlawful possession of firearms, money laundering and breach of trust, told a Federal High Court in Abuja that he was being punished by persons at the highest level of power for perceived grievances held against him while in active military service many years ago.
Without mentioning names, Dasuki said the punishment being meted out to him was borne out of vendetta.
Speaking through his counsel, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), Dasuki told the court: "It is clear that the defendant (Dasuki) is being punished by the powers that be for the perceived offences committed long before. We leave them to the Almighty God for his ultimate judgment."
The Federal Government, at the resumed trial yesterday, sought a secret trial for the former NSA; praying the court to allow the witnesses give their statements behind a screen which would be provided by the court. Counsel for the Federal Government, Chief Dipo Okpeseyi (SAN), stated that this was necessary as Dasuki, being a former top security chief, still has large loyalists across the country who may jeopardize the trial if done in the open.
Okpeseyi cited the case of the government witness who was involved in an accident, stating, however, that as much as he would not allude that Dasuki had a hand in the accident, it heightened the need to have witnesses protected by the court.
However, counsel to the accused, Joseph Daudu (SAN), vehemently opposed the request for a secret trial of his client- Dasuki. His argument was that it will breach the principle of fair trial.
He added that contrary to the position of the government, Dasuki cannot be a threat to the witnesses as he has been in government custody since December last year.
Daudu argued that open trial is the minimum requirement in a criminal trial and, as such, any attempt to opt for a secret trial in the instant case, which was not a capital offense, will run contrary to Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution on fair trial.
Sambo Dasuki was previously granted bail but rearrested in December last year by the Federal Government, and has since been held incommunicado.
After hearing the arguments of both counsels, the trial Judge, Justice Ademola, fixed ruling and continuation of trial for September 13, 14 and 15.
Without mentioning names, Dasuki said the punishment being meted out to him was borne out of vendetta.
Speaking through his counsel, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), Dasuki told the court: "It is clear that the defendant (Dasuki) is being punished by the powers that be for the perceived offences committed long before. We leave them to the Almighty God for his ultimate judgment."
The Federal Government, at the resumed trial yesterday, sought a secret trial for the former NSA; praying the court to allow the witnesses give their statements behind a screen which would be provided by the court. Counsel for the Federal Government, Chief Dipo Okpeseyi (SAN), stated that this was necessary as Dasuki, being a former top security chief, still has large loyalists across the country who may jeopardize the trial if done in the open.
Okpeseyi cited the case of the government witness who was involved in an accident, stating, however, that as much as he would not allude that Dasuki had a hand in the accident, it heightened the need to have witnesses protected by the court.
However, counsel to the accused, Joseph Daudu (SAN), vehemently opposed the request for a secret trial of his client- Dasuki. His argument was that it will breach the principle of fair trial.
He added that contrary to the position of the government, Dasuki cannot be a threat to the witnesses as he has been in government custody since December last year.
Daudu argued that open trial is the minimum requirement in a criminal trial and, as such, any attempt to opt for a secret trial in the instant case, which was not a capital offense, will run contrary to Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution on fair trial.
Sambo Dasuki was previously granted bail but rearrested in December last year by the Federal Government, and has since been held incommunicado.
After hearing the arguments of both counsels, the trial Judge, Justice Ademola, fixed ruling and continuation of trial for September 13, 14 and 15.
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