Former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), has said that his trial by the federal government on allegations of unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering is a mockery of the judicial process.
Speaking through his lead lawyer, Mr Joseph Daudu (SAN), Dasuki told a federal high court in Abuja that the federal government no longer has moral rights to put him on trial having been in contempt of the judiciary in three separate courts rulings that granted him bail bail but flouted by the government.
At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, Daudu raised objection over government’s bid to commence the trial against his client, insisting that government must first purge itself before it should be granted indulgence by Justice Adeniyi Ademola.
Shortly after, Mr. Oladipo Okpeseyi, SAN, announced his appearance as lawyer to the federal government and that he had brought witnesses that will testify against Dasuki.
But Daudu jumped up and demanded that Justice Ademola should not listen to the Okpeseyi for now.
He said, “The conduct of the federal government in this matter has made Dasuki not to enjoy his constitutional rights and this must be resisted by the judiciary in the interest of justice and the rule of law.
“The worse is that for about seven weeks now; specifically since December 29 last year when Dasuki perfected his bail conditionsbut was rearrested by the DSS, neither his lawyers nor his family know exactly where he is being detained but only aware that he is in the custody”.
“This would tantamount to a mockery of judicial process if the accused person is not allowed to adequately prepare for his trial”.
Daudu stated that his application requesting the court to discharge Dasuki from the criminal charge brought against him by the federal government should be granted since government is still in contempt of the court order.
But in his response, Okpeseyi faulted the argument of Daudu, saying that criminal trial was not an indulgence or a privilege but a constitutional matter.
He further argued that Dasuki was not being held wrongfully or illegally and that his lawyers are in position to see him as government has never obstructed them from doing so.
Okpeseyi further informed the court that it is not a must that a lawyer will prepares his clients defence in a five -star hotel or in the comfort of his room, adding that though Dasuki is still in detention, his defence can be prepared by his lawyers.
Okpeseyi added that he had filed a counter affidavit to oppose Dasuki’s request for a discharge from trial, saying that Dasuki was being detained because his surety has not perfected the conditions attached to the bail as ordered by the court. The case has been adjourned till March 3.
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