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EFCC Consolidates Charges Against Dasuki

Former NSA, Sambo Dasuki
Former NSA, Sambo Dasuki

Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf of the FCT High Court has granted an application brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, seeking to consolidate the two separate criminal charges against former National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo Dasuki and others with respect to their involvement in the infamous N2.1 billion arms scam.

Dasuki alongside Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director in the Office of the NSA, ONSA; Aminu Babakusa, a former General Manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited are being prosecuted by the EFCC, on a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N13, 570,000, 000.00.

Similarly, Dasuki is also being prosecuted by the anti-graft agency alongside Bashir Yuguda, a former Minister of State for Finance; Attahiru Bafarawa, ex-governor of Sokoto State; his son, Sagir and their firm, Dalhatu Investment, for N13 billion fraud before Justice Afem.

At the last hearing on Wednesday, October 5, 2016, counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, moved an application for the consolidation of the two cases to allow for diligent prosecution.

Dasuki’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, then agreed before Justice Baba Yusuf to formally write the Chief Judge of the FCT judiciary, Justice Ishaq Bello, to consolidate the two charges in the interest of Justice.

The two counsels also urged Justice Baba-Yusuf to adjourn the matter pending the time the Chief Judge would consider the application for consolidation.

Consequently, the matter was adjourned to October 21, 2016 to allow the two parties reach a consensus and present the outcome of their meeting with the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Abuja.




     

     

    At the resumed sitting on today (Friday), counsel to the EFCC, O. A. Atolagbe told Justice Baba-Yusuf that, “we met with Justice Afeem few minutes ago and he has ruled that the sister charge, CR/42/15, be transferred to this honourable court. We urge your Lordship to adjourn the two cases to the same day for trial or for further directions.”

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    The defence counsels raised no objection to the prosecution’s pleadings.

    Consequently, Justice Baba-Yusuf granted the application and ruled that, the two cases be consolidated adding that, “the implication of this transfer is that the prosecution will serve the defence counsels so that the defendants can be re-arraigned before this court.”

    He therefore adjourned to November 16, 2016 for re-arraignment of the accused persons.

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