More trouble for ex-NSA Dasuki

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There is no respite yet for former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki, despite being granted leave to travel out for treatment by a Federal High Court.

Security yesterday invited him for questioning over “fresh security matters” shortly after he left court.

But he told them to approach the court if there is any fresh allegation or security issue against him.

Former Adamawa State Governor Boni Haruna may have run into trouble pledge for standing surety for Dasuki.

Haruna was invited for a “chat” immediately he stepped out of the court premises after signing the bond.

It was gathered that the invitation was a follow-up to the assurance by Haruna that Dasuki will not jump bail.

But the development made Dasuki’s counsel to be curious about his clients.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the Federal Government was displeased by the decision of the court to allow Dasuki to travel out for three weeks when allegation of “treason” was still being investigated.

It was learnt that security men stepped in to look at “fresh security matter” against Dasuki.

The security men got in touch with Dasuki’s counsel Mallam Ahmed Raji(SAN) to produce his client.

A face-off appeared imminent last night as Dasuki insisted that the security should return to the court instead of inviting him if it had any issue against him.

There were indications that Dasuki may not be allowed to travel out until he honours the invitation.

A top source said: “Immediately after the court session, the security invited Haruna, who was the surety in line with the laid down conditions by the court, for interaction.

“They asked him why he went to court; whether he had foreknowledge of the likely ruling of the court and how did he emerge as Dasuki’s surety.

“Haruna simply told them that he only followed his friend to the court and when it was time to provide a surety he fitted into the bill.

“They asked him to produce his friend (Dasuki). They even followed him to Dasuki’s house in a car.

“But Dasuki asked: “Why will they see me? Why are they inviting me again? Why can’t they approach the court if there are new charges against me?

“They called Dasuki’s counsel (Raji) to produce his client to ‘come and clarify another matter’. They were not forthcoming on what exactly it is but when Raji got in touch with Dasuki, he insisted on due process through the court.”

Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja granted Dasuki’s request to travel abroad on health ground.

But, the court directed him to provide a surety, who will be held responsible, if he did not return to on the next adjourned date.

In the alternative, it also ordered his lawyer to write undertaking to produce him on the next hearing date. Dasuki claimed to be suffering from cancer.

He is standing trial on a five-count charge of laundering about N84million and illegal possession of firearms.

He had applied to the court to travel to the United Kingdom, for three weeks to attend to his health. But the prosecution led by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Muhammad Diri, opposed Dasuki’s application because he could abscond since there was no condition attached to his bail.

Upholding the applicant’s request, Justice Ademola agreed with his counsel Joseph Daudu (SAN) that likelihood of the prosecution filing fresh charges could not be a ground to deny the application that will allow the accused attend to his health and be fit for trial.

The judge acknowledged the receipt of a letter appointment Dasuki tendered to convince him that he was billed for treatment in the United Kingdom.

Dasuki, he said, could choose whether to be treated in the country or abroad.

“More importantly, every citizen of Nigeria has the right to choose which medical facilities he or she wishes, whether in this country or overseas. The ill health of a defendant is a very paramount consideration in granting bail let alone when operating as special circumstances”, Justice Ademola said.

To allay the prosecution’s fear, the judge attached new conditions to Saraki’s bail. The judge had.

Under the new conditions unveiled by the court yesterday, Dasuki was directed to produce a surety, who must swear to an affidavit that he is ready to go to jail if the accused absconds, and until he is re-arrested.

Alternatively, the judge said the senior lawyer representing Dasuki on record, should sign an undertaking to produce his client in court on the next hearing date.

The judge directed Dasuki to return his travel documents to the court’s registrar within 72 hours on his return home. He adjourned to November 26 for continuation of proceedings and ruling on the prosecution’s application for secret trial.

Source: The Nation