The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday arraigned a former National Security Adviser, NSA, Colonel Sambo Dasuki rtd, before Justice Peter Affem of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on charges of criminal breach of trust and diversion of N19.8 billion public purportedly for the purchase of arms to fight the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.
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Dasuki was arraigned in a 22-counts charge before Justice Peter Affen.
Yuguda, who is the first defendant, is charged alongside with Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, a former National Security Adviser; Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance and Administration, Office of the National Security Adviser; Attahiru Dalhatu Bafawara, a former governor of Sokoto State; Sagir Attahiru, Bafarawa’s son and Dalhatu Investment Limited.
The accused persons were alleged to have between August 2013 to February 2015, transferred funds from the ONSA accounts to private individuals and companies to the tune of N8.7 billion.
Also in his submission, Solomon Umoh (SAN) argued that the accused persons are presumed innocent and should be granted bail except if there are exceptional circumstances.
They all pleaded not guilty to all the charges, but hearing on their bail applications was adjourned till today.
Counsel to the Federal Government Mr Rotimi Jacobs SAN requested for an adjournment of the trial till next year to enable him assemble his witnesses.
Justice Affem then adjourned hearing on the bail application for this Wednesday and ordered that the accused persons be remanded in the custody of the EFCC pending the determination of the case.
Meanwhile, Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf of a FCT High Court has deferred till Friday, his ruling on the bail applications brought by Dasuki, Salisu, and ex- General Manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Aminu Baba Kusa.
Jacobs told the court that the defence lawyers filed a bail application on behalf of their clients.
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It was also revealed by the government’s counsel that during the course of the investigation by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), it was discovered that Dasuki diverted huge funds meant for the nation’s security, with which he used in acquiring properties in foreign cities, such as Dubai and London.
