Dasuki: Absence of judge stalls commencement of trial

In an FCT High Court Maitama on Thursday, the 29th of June 2017, the absence of Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf stalled the trial of retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, the former National Security Adviser (NSA).

The NSA to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dasuki, was incriminated on a 22- count charge, bordering on conspiracy, bribery, diversion, abuse of office and criminal breach of trust involving N19.4 billion.

Others in the trial are: Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance, Office of the National Security Adviser, Amb. BashirYuguda, Attahiru Bafaarawa, former governor of Sokoto State and Dalhatu Investment Ltd, Sagir Attahiru. The judge was inevitably absent to hear the case adjourned until Thursday.

Although the court did not sit, the defendants and their counsel were present in court except Dasuki. The legal proceeding was adjourned until Sept. 27 with the permission of all the counsel in the matter.

It can be recalled that Dasuki was also arraigned on another 19-count charge bordering on diversion of funds pending in the same court.

He is being tried alongside Aminu Baba-Kusa, a former NNPC Executive Director and Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance, Office of the National Security Adviser. Also implicated in the trial are two firms; Reliance Referral Hospital Limited and Acacia Holding Limited. However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) deferred the charges against the defendants since 2015.

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