Former National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo Dasuki, a retired Colonel, will on Tuesday know if his application for the release of his passport to enable him travel for medical treatment outside the country will be granted.

Dasuki, who was NSA to former President Goodluck Jonathan, is standing trial on a five-count charge bordering on unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering.

He was first arraigned on a one count charge of illegally possessing of firearms on August 24, 2015, following a search of his residence by men of the Department of State Security Services, DSS.

He was granted bail on self-recognition but had his passport confiscated and kept with the court.

The trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola of Federal High Court 6, adjourned the matter to October 26 for hearing.

However, on that day, the prosecution filed four additional charges and asked for a secret trial to protect identities of witnesses, even though the names of the witnesses were mentioned in the court process. Dasuki asked the court to release his passport so he could travel abroad for treatment and also objected to the application for a secret trial.

The matter was adjourned to October 28 for ruling on the motions filed by the two sides but court could not sit due to a conference organised for judges by the National Judicial Institute, NJI.

At Monday’s resumed hearing, the judge announced that the defendant had filed a motion for an urgent hearing on the motion for the release of his passport, which was opposed by the prosecutor, led by Muhammed Diri, Federal Director of Public Prosecution.

Diri argued that the former NSA was granted bail because his passport was seized, adding that the ailment he seeks to travel for can be treated at the National Hospital in Abuja.

Dasuki’s counsel, Joseph Dawodu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, however, argued that the bail granted his client was on self-recognition and had nothing to do with the seizure of his passport.

He also argued that the continued withholding of Dasuki’s passport made him look like he had been sentenced “whereas it is only to secure his appearance.”

In adjourning to Tuesday, the judge asked the prosecution to present any legal reason as done by the defence to support his opposition to the accused’s request.