You are Complacent, Hypocritical -Jokolo Tongue-lashes Sultan, Northern Elites over Dasuki

A former Aide de Camp (ADC) to President Muhammadu Buhari when he was Governor of Gongola and Military Head of State, Alhaji Al-Mustapha Haruna Jokolo has lambasted the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar and Northern elites over what he described as their hypocrisy and complacency on injustice and insecurity in the North. 

The deposed Emir of Gwandu who was deposed in 2005 had already secured two judgments from High Court and Court of Appeal ordering his reinstatement as the Emir of Gwandu Emirate, launched a virulent attack on Northerners, describing them as people who feign high principles but behave otherwise, especially on the plight of the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (Rtd). 

In an interview with Saturday Sun (Print Edition), Jokolo reacted specifically to the injustice in the handling of Colonel Sambo Dasuki’s incarceration by Northern elites saying their role was disappointing. 

On the indifference of Northerner elites, including Sultan of Sokoto on the disobedience to court orders over the case of Dasuki, who is also a prince of the Sokoto caliphate, Jokolo said: “We are complacent people (in the North) and sometimes hypocritical…Northerners are hypocritical.  

“Look at the Sultan, what is he doing about it (Dasuki’s incarceration)? Is it because of personal grievances between families? Has he ever led the council of Emirs or religious groups to come and plead for Sambo?  

“Instead, he was saying Buhari should go and execute looters. What kind of nonsense is that? What I am saying is that we are just not sincere at all.  

“You people (Southerners) are at the vanguard of fighting for democracy more than the North. And that is why I don’t like being selective. If you are going to do something, do it. You did it for me.” 

When asked if it was possible for the North to work underground to ensure Dasuki is released on bail with the orders of the courts, Alhaji Jokolo pointed out that, they were not willing.  

He said: “If they can do that why is the Sultan making noise saying that they should do this to them? Is he not the person who is supposed to help this man out? Which of these traditional rulers have you heard speaking about Dasuki’s case? 

“What does it even take these so-called religious leaders to go and meet the president or whoever it is and tell him to release Sambo?  

“If he (Sambo Dasuki) has committed an offence that requires him facing the firing squad, shoot him. Nobody will say you should not carry out any punishment pronounced by the law court. No.  

“But the court has said release him. They did not say don’t go to court with him. The court says release him on bail on given times. So, if you won’t respect court order why did you go to court/Why did you appoint judges? Why did you sit down and discuss with them? Why do you speak from both sides of your mouth?  

“On the one hand you say one thing on the next time you do different altogether. Do you think people are not intelligent?” 

When asked if Sambo Dasuki would be released with the latest bail granted after several that were not honoured by the Buhari’s government, Jokolo said: “Nobody can give anybody guarantee but we pray to God that they will be sensible to do that. Buhari is now a politician.  

“But I do not think honestly that it is right to be refusing Sambo to go home after the Court has granted him bail. If we do not want Sambo around, then let’s shoot him; that’s all. We can’t continue with this.  

“He has a family, friends and relations for God’s sake. Even his enemies are now crying out for justice. So, I don’t think I will accept anybody telling me now for the sixth time that he would not be allowed to go home.  

“No. That is irresponsible and unacceptable either. Let me ask you a question. Is it because Sambo is from the North and a Muslim?” 

Meanwhile, the detained former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki may be released from the custody of the Department of State Security Service (DSS) once the bail conditions are perfected this week. 

PR-Nigeria gathered that the sureties billed to stand for his release have provided necessary materials and documentation to perfect the bail conditions granted him by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court Abuja.  

The sureties who volunteered on their own to bail the Ex-NSA were said to have substantially met the bail conditions as announced by the court. Tax certificates and other valid documents brought forward by the sureties are being verified for clearance as directed by the judge.  

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