Dasuki: AGF Snubs Court Summons.

Dasuki: AGF Snubs Court Summons.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice Mr. Abubakar Matami (SAN) on Monday failed to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja to explain the siege laid on the Asokoro residence of the former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Mohammed Dasuki (rtd) by operatives of the State Security Services (SSS) in spite of the bail granted him by the court.
Instead of the appearance of the AGF, the Director of the Public Prosecution of the Justice ministry, Mr. Mohammed Saidu Diri arrived the court with a fresh motion on notice requesting for revocation of the bail granted the ex-NSA in the unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering charges brought against him.
The motion signed by Diri was brought to the court pursuant to section 169 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
In the motion dated November 20, the federal government applied for the order of the court to revoke the bail granted to Dasuki on September 1 and to commit him to prison pending his trial.
The ground of the motion was that Dasuki was undergoing investigation by the Committee Auditing Procurement of arms in the armed forces and defence sector between 2007 till date.
That the interim report submitted to the presidency by the probe panel has indicated that resources running into over $2billion were allegedly misappropriated and that the investigation has been unfolding further facts that require the presence of Dasuki to assist in the investigation.
The motion also informed the court that there has been a presidential directive for the arrest of those indicted including Dasuki and that the interest of the Nation was at stake.
The federal government also claimed that the investigation of Dasuki has not been concluded and that he might tamper with the investigation if allowed to go abroad.
The motion further contended that the ailment of Dasuki can be treated at the National Hospital Abuja and other teaching hospitals in the country and that intelligence reports have indicated that Dasuki wanted to use the abroad trip granted him by court to escape justice and to tamper with investigation. The motion was supported by 4 paragraph affidavit.
However, following the vehement objection raised against the fresh government motion, Justice Adaniyi Ademola adjourned the matter to Thursday November 26, 2015.
The Federal High Court in Abuja had last week extended till Monday November 23, the summon issued against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Alhaji Abubakar Malami SAN to appear in court to explain the siege still laid on the Abuja residence of the Former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Mohammed Dasuki (rtd).
Malami was summoned to be in the court to also shed light on why the federal government has bluntly refused to allow the execution of the court order which permitted Dasuki to travel abroad to treat his ailment.
The extension of the date till November 23 by Justice Adeniyi Ademola was at the instance of the new Solicitor General of the Federation Mr. Taiwo Abidogun.
Abidogun who was in court for the first time on Dasuki’s legal action had informed Justice Ademola that the Attorney General of the Federal (AGF) and Minister of Justice had yet to assume office.
The Solicitor General claimed that the AGF would assume office the week’s Wednsday and would be briefed on the Dasuki’s court action between Thursday and Friday same week and urged the court to grant them permission to appear in the court next Monday, which is today.
He informed Justice Ademola that the Federal Ministry of Justice has tremendous respect for court and the rule of law and will not do anything to undermine court powers.
The application which was not opposed by Dasuki’s lawyers led by Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), prompted the adjournment till today.
END.