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Tag: Dasuki

  • Wife pleads for mercy as ex-NSA is re-arrested

    Wife pleads for mercy as ex-NSA is re-arrested

    Former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki’s health is bad, his wife has said, pleading for his freedom.

    Mrs Dasuki created a scene at the headquarters of the Department of State Security Service (DSS) on Tuesday night when she begged top officials of the agency not to allow her husband die in custody.

    She and other relations had waited patiently for Dasuki to meet the last peg of his bail conditions, a surety with about N250million property.

    But immediately Dasuki was released at the prison, he was re-arrested by the DSS.

    After several hours of trying to locate her husband, she returned to the DSS office and demanded for him or in the alternative, she should be locked up with him.

    She reportedly said: “Nigerians should help me beg the Federal Government, the DSS and other agencies to release my husband who did his best to serve this nation. He is ill, he needs medical attention, he is not pretending. I implore the DSS not to allow him to die in custody.

    “I saw my husband and I felt dejected. He is not just well. Nigerians should assist him to get a reprieve. We(myself, the children and relations) are all destabilised. We don’t know what is happening because three courts have granted him bail. Why are they after him? Let those concerned respect the court by releasing my husband.

    “There is no way my husband will run away from the country under any guise. They should please follow the rule of law and uphold his right to bail.”

    A source said Dasuki’s wife was allowed to see her husband.

    “We have followed the rule of law , the ex-NSA is in safe custody. He was once in DSS custody and he was never maltreated and he had access to medicare,” the source said.

    A judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Peter Affen last Wednesday banned the EFCC from re-arresting Dasuki, ex-Minister Bashir Yuguda, former Director of Finance at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Shuaibu Salisu, Sagir Attahiru and former Governor Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa.

    The order of the court followed the granting of the application for bail by counsel to the defendants, including Peter Akper (SAN); Ahmed Raji (SAN); Dr. J. O. Olatoke (SAN); H.O. Afolabi (SAN) and A.U Mustapha.

    As at press time, all the accused persons were perfecting their bail conditions.

    Those whose bail terms have been approved are Salisu; Bafarawa, ex-NNPC Executive Director Aminu Babakusa and others.

    DSS operatives refused to allow Dasuki  to go home on bail even after he had perfected his bail consitions.

    Counsel to Dasuki  Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN)confirmed to PRNigeria that the former NSA had met all the bail conditions given by Justice Affem but regretted that the court order was not obeyed by the DSS.

    Raji who perfected the bail condition of his client disclosed that the actions of the security agents was an affront to the rule of law.

  • Tension: EFCC may return Dasuki to DSS custody

    Tension: EFCC may return Dasuki to DSS custody

    Former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki may return to the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for “security reasons”, a source said yesterday. A court has granted Dasuki bail.

    But, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may file fresh charges against him and some of the accused persons already granted bail by the High Court of Justice of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the source added.

    Justice Peter Affen of the FCT High Court on Wednesday granted bail to Dasuki, ex-Minister Bashir Yuguda, ex-Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Director of Finance Shuaibu Salisu, Sagir Attahiru and ex-Governor Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa.

    Following his inability to meet one of his bail conditions, the former NSA was taken to Kuje Prison. It was learnt that Dasuki could not get a surety who should deposit the original title deeds of a property or properties owned by him, which must be worth N250million, being the amount of the consideration for his bail.

    While Dasuki was trying to meet the bail conditions, there was anxiety following plans to re-arrest him by EFCC.

    It was gathered that the plans became obvious on Wednesday night when some operatives opposed Salisu’s release because of another pending matter.

    It took the intervention of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria before Salisu regained freedom.

    The fate of Dasuki, however, created anxiety for his counsel,  family, friends and associates last night, following moves to return him to DSS custody for “security reasons”.

    A source in EFCC, who spoke in confidence, said: “We will obey court order to release Dasuki on bail but we may only return him to DSS custody because he was on remand warrant of a Chief Magistrate’s Court, which was obtained by the DSS,  when we asked the agency to make him available to us for prosecution.

    “I think the remand warrant may have to do with security issues beyond our purview.

    “In line with inter-agency cooperation, we  took custody of Dasuki from the DSS, we will return him there. It is left to Dasuki to approach another court to vacate the remand warrant got by the DSS.

    “Also, we are likely to arraign Dasuki and some of the accused persons  in another  court for different charges. The case against these accused persons has many dimensions.”

    When contacted last night, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN) said: “It will be improper and contemptuous of the court to re-arrest Dasuki. Justice Peter Affen was explicit in issuing an order that neither Dasuki nor any of the accused persons should be re-arrested. Even  if the order is not there, you don’t re-arrest someone already on trial.

    “In two courts in the FCT, they have been granted bail and the EFCC has been served with the order. The essence of the bail is to guarantee their attendance at the trial

    “To re-arrest or detain Dasuki or any of the accused persons  will look like you are ridiculing the court.”

    On the likely release of Dasuki to DSS, Raji said: “There is no remand warrant for Dasuki . You use remand warrant from a Magistrate’s Court  when a matter is under investigation. The moment you arraign accused persons in court, the warrant  becomes otiose and irrelevant.

    “It is the EFCC that is investigating the accused persons; the same agency arraigned them in court and now that they have been granted bail, it should release them.

    “Are they saying that they will return Dasuki to the DSS so that he will not be able to go for trial? We should not ridicule the court in any manner.”

    Justice Affen on Wednesday banned the EFCC from re-arresting Dasuki, Yuguda, Salisu, Sagir Attahiru and Bafarawa.

    The order of the court followed the granting of the application for bail by counsel to the defendants, including Peter Akper(SAN); Ahmed Raji( SAN); Dr. J. O. Olatoke(SAN); H.O. Afolabi(SAN) and A.U Mustapha.

    Justice Affen said: “It is ordered as follows: 1st( Bashir Yuguda), 2nd(Mohammed Sambo Dasuki), 3rd( Shuaibu Salisu), 5th Sagir Attahiru and 6th (Attahiru Bafarawa) defendants are hereby admitted to bail in the sum of N250million only with two sureties in the like sum, one of whom shall be a serving or retired public servant not below the status of a director in the public/ civil service of the Federation or any of the states of the Federation or any of their agencies and shall produce a valid documentation of his/ her status to the Registrar of this court.

    “Each surety shall produce two recent passport-sized photographs and depose to an affidavit of means certifying that he has the financial wherewithal to discharge and forfeit the recognisances for the bail herein granted in the event that the Defendant on surety jumps bail and / or escapes from Justice.

    “One of the two sureties shall produce and deposit the original title deeds of a property or properties owned by him and situate within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja which, when evaluated by an Estate Surveyor duly licensed by the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers( NIESV) shall on the aggregate be worth the sum of N250million being the amount of the consideration for the bail granted herein.

    “The sureties shall be resident within the jurisdiction of this Court and their physical residential addresses shall be verified by the Registrar of this Court.

    “The sureties shall be resident within the jurisdiction of this Court and their physical residential  addresses shall be verified by the Registrar of this Court.

    “During the continuance of the bail herein granted, in the event that the personal attendance of the defendants or any of them shall be required by the complainant for purposes of further investigation, they or he shall be required to appear between the hours of 9 o’clock in the forenoon and 6 o’clock in the evening and be allowed to return home the same day.

    “In the event that their or his appearance shall be required at any other time outside the period aforesaid, this shall only be on the orders of a Superior Court Record.

    “The orders herein contained are hereby expressly made subject to such further order(s) as may become necessary during the continuance of the bail herein granted.

    “The 1st( Bashir Yuguda), 2nd(Mohammed Sambo Dasuki), 3rd( Shuaibu Salisu), 5th Sagir Attahiru and 6th (Attahiru Bafarawa)shall in the interim be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Prison Service, FCT Command and shall only be released upon a Release Warrant issued by this Court upon being satisfied that the conditions herein contained have been complied with.

    “In the unlikely event that the defendants( or any of them) are still in the custody of the Nigerian Prison Service by reason of inability to comply with or perfect the conditions upon which they are being admitted to bail, they shall be produced before this court on the date(s)fixed for trial.”

  • Annals of obtainment: A postscript

    Annals of obtainment: A postscript

    As the running scandal that is now sure to go down in the annals of sleaze as Dasukigate seeps drip by tawdry drip into the fount of public discourse, one cannot but marvel at the casualness, the utter disregard for consequences with which vast sums of money earmarked for national security were handed out even to persons who had not set out to obtain.

    One veteran says he has never met Dasuki and never obtained from him.  He was minding his  own business when they brought him $230,000, a far cry from the N100 million they claim to have given him.

    They didn’t tell him the source.  They didn’t tell him what it was for.  He apparently assumed that it was for old times’ sake, or for business as usual, not knowing that it was stolen money.

    Pardon the digression, but it brings to mind Dominique Strauss-Kahn , the randy billionaire former president of the IMF who would have been elected president of France in 2012 if he had not sexually assaulted a maid in a swanky New York hotel the previous year.  On trial for participating in  prostitution ring in France, he pleaded that since the women were naked, he had no way of knowing that they were prostitutes.

    Maybe the women should have put on identifying apparel, just as the package delivered to the veteran, aforementioned, should have been stamped “Stolen Money.”

    One free-floating, crackerjack social scientist was busy in his book-lined study putting the finishing touches to his magnum opus, “The Unified Theory of Society,” when National Security came calling for help. Dutiful patriot that he is, he shoved aside the papers on his desk and went to work.

    As if  partial recompense for the Nobel Prize they thought he should have been awarded long ago if those doddering old men in Oslo had not been intellectually fossilised, National Security handed him N450 million for his labours.

    One expired political godfather to whom they said they handed N100 million says it was actually N500 million and that he simply passed it on, N100 million apiece, to the lesser godfathers in the zone, taking nothing for himself.

    Those who claim to know him well say they believe him.  They say he would rather donate than obtain, and that it is not for nothing that he is called “Donatus” — behind his back.

    Amidst the back and forth, one strand of Dasukigate risks getting lost.  As the story goes, on hearing that huge sums of money were being handed out without appropriation, one influential lawmaker went to the main depository and threatened to bring the matter before the appropriate oversight body of one of the legislative houses unless he was, shall we say, accommodated.

    Knowing that this was no idle threat and that the fellow was firmly resolved to obtain from   the colossal slush fund they were dispensing, they quickly handed him N250 million in hush money.  So the story goes, at any rate.

    Are the authorities investigating it?

    Then there is the story set in Akwa Ibom that may or may not be related to Dasukigate.  In a controversial raid on a wing of Government House Complex in the state capital, Uyo, security operatives searching for illegal arms reported stumbling upon “a stockpile of dollars, “not the stockpile of illegal arms they expected to find.

    What became of the stockpile?  Has its owner –or custodian – been identified? Where did it come from, and what purpose or purposes was it meant to serve?

     

    Jankara journalism

     

    After Bode George conned him into doing a stultifying white-wash job on the contract-splitting scam at the Nigerian Ports Authority, you would think that the self-certified chief of Area Boys  and leading practitioner of Jankara journalism has learned some lessons in real journalism and  humility.

    Fat chance.

    There he was again the other day, this media wayfarer, pontificating that the Nigerian print media establishment is made up of “the Zombie Press” and others, with apparently nothing in between.

    Irrespective of the issue at hand,” he has written (Vanguard, October 11, 2015), “all the reader needs to know is where the interest of the owner lies and he can virtually write all the columns, editorials, comments, letters to the editor that would appear,”  pro and contra, in the “Zombie Press, “ of which he names this newspaper as an exemplar.

    He cites as one of his two test cases Saraki’s “emergence” as Senate president.  All the “journalists” (inverted commas in the original) writing for the Zombie Press, he found as he  had confidently expected, took the same position, despite the fact that “some of these writers are Professors (including Emeritus Professors), and holders of advanced degrees.”

    This Emeritus Professor of Journalism holds and has stated at every opportunity that Saraki’s path to the presidency of the Senate was base and ignoble. That view is shared by tens of thousands,  perhaps millions of Nigerians who are not in any way connected with this newspaper.

    Anyone who sincerely believes that Saraki’s conduct in the matter is the quintessence of propriety and nobility should come out forthrightly and say so, instead of sniping at those who hold a contrary view or ascribing improper motives to them.

    The second test case in the Jankara study – such as it was — centres on perceptions of President Muhammadu Buhari’s performance in office.

    Those “Zombies” who called Yar’Adua  “Baba Go Slow” in 2007 are now unanimous in  asking Nigerians to allow Buhari to operate at his own pace, whereas the other Zombies who had supported Yar’Adua back in 2007 have been carpeting Buhari for being too slow.  In each case, the editors operate as if the only view that counts is that of those who agree with their publisher, the study asserts.

    I don’t know what happens at the paper where the researcher moonlights, but that is not how The Nation is run.  You have to wonder whether he really reads the newspaper. The views expressed on its pages are far more nuanced than a casual researcher can fathom.

    Plus, they don’t do nuance at Jankara, I gather.

    Then, this :  Those ‘Zombie” newspapers “are so predictable that one must ask: whatever happened to self-respect? Is it possible that 20 educated and intelligent adults could agree on every important issue – unless “none thinks very much”?

    Do the columnists and editorial writers and editors he is excoriating in fact agree on every important issue?  What is the evidence for this sweeping assertion on the basis of which the author gratuitously questions the education, intelligence and self-respect or persons, many of whom are not one whit less educated, less intelligent and less self-respecting than he is?

    Pity they also don’t do civility at Jankara.

     

    Worse than Jankara journalism

     

    Late this past Sunday, a friend called my attention to a longish piece in Nigerian Tribune purporting to be an interview with the eminent legal scholar and Senior Advocate,            Professor Itse Sagay.

    Three or four paragraphs into it, I was already doubting its authenticity.  By the time I was done, my doubts were confirmed. The statements credited to Professor Sagay lacked the clarity of thought and the elegance of exposition that are his hallmark.  In part fact-free and in part driven by bilious rage, the piece seemed to have been put together by an Olisa Metuh clone.

    It has since been confirmed that the “interview” was a forgery through and through.

  • Court remands Yuguda, Dasuki, Bafarawa, others in Kuje prison

    Court remands Yuguda, Dasuki, Bafarawa, others in Kuje prison

    •To remain in prison until they meet bail conditions

    Former Minister of State for Finance Bashir Yuguda, ex-National Security Adviser (NSA) Mohammed  Sambo Dasuki, former Sokoto State Governor  Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa and two others are to remain in Kuje prison, Abuja, until they meet their  bail conditions.

    Justice Peter Affen of the High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) gave the order yesterday in a ruling on their bail application.

    Also to be remanded are former Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu and Bafarawa’s son, Sagir.

    Yuguda, Dasuki, Bafarawa, Salisu and Sagir were arraigned with a company, Dalhatu Investment Limited on December 15 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 22-count of criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and retention of proceeds of crime estimated at over 20 billion.

    Justice Affen, yesterday, admitted each of the five men to bail at N250 million with two sureties, who must pledge the same amount.

    The judge said one of the sureties must be a director in the Federal Civil Service; they must be resident in Abuja, and must have landed property in  Abuja worth N250 million.

    The judge added that title documents to the property and the defendants’ travel documents must be kept with the court.

    ‘’ I have carefully considered the applications and evidences tendered and found that extensive investigation was conducted in the matter.

    ‘’ Whatever is left was not substantial to deny the defendants bail, simply because the prosecution alleged that they may interfere with the investigation, if granted bail.

    “There is no evidence to prove that the defendants, if granted bail, will commit another offence.  I found it difficult to agree with the theory of probability, as canvassed by the prosecution, to deny the defendants bail,” the judge said.

    He noted that where the ill-heath of an accused person was in question, the court was enjoined to exercise its discretion in favour of the applicant, if relevant documents were presented before the court.

    The judge ordered that the defendants, who had been in the custody of the EFCC, be remanded in Kuje Prison pending uintil they meet the bail conditions.

    Their relatives and friends, including businessman Raymond Dokpesi, former Director of Publicity for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign, Femi Fani-Kayode, who were in court, were making efforts to assist the defendants process their bail.

     

  • Update: Court remands Yuguda, Dasuki, Bafarawa in Kuje prison

    Update: Court remands Yuguda, Dasuki, Bafarawa in Kuje prison

    Former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, ex-National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki , former Sokoto State governor,  Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa have been remanded with two others in Kuje prison, Abuja pending the perfection of the bail granted them on Monday.

    Justice Peter Affen of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) gave the order in a ruling on the bail application they filed.

    Also to be remanded are former Director of Finance and Administration in the office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu and son of the former Sokoto governor, Sagir Attahiru.

    Yuguda, Dasuki, Bafarawa, Salihu and Sagir were arraigned with a company, Dalhatu Investment Limited on December 15 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 22-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and retention of proceeds of crime estimated at over 20billion naira.

    Ruling on the bail application on Monday, Justice Affen admitted each of the five men to bail at N250million with two sureties, who must pledge the same amount, which they will forfeit should the defendant jump bail.

    The judge said one of the sureties must be Director in the federal Civil Service, they must be resident in Abuja and must have landed property with Abuja worth N250m.

    The judge further said that title documents in relation to the property and the defendants’ travel documents must be kept with the court after their verification by court officials.

    ” I have carefully considered the applications and the evidences tendered and found that extensive investigation was conducted in the matter.

    ” Whatever is left was not substantial to deny the defendants bail, simply because the prosecution alleged that they may interfere with investigation, if granted bail.

    “There is no any evidence to prove that the defendants, if granted bail, will commit another offence.  I found it difficult to agree with the theory of probability, as canvassed by the prosecution, to deny the defendants bail,” the judge said.

     

  • Alleged 13.5b fraud: Court grants Dasuki, others N250m bail each

    Alleged 13.5b fraud: Court grants Dasuki, others N250m bail each

    A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has granted bail to former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, and two others.

    The others are ex-Director of Finance and Administration in the office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu, and former Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Aminu Baba-Kusa.

    They were arraigned on December 14 before the court on a 19-count charge bordering on criminal diversion of funds preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Yesterday, Justice Hussein  Baba-Yusuf, in a ruling on their bail application, admitted each of them to bail at N250million and one surety at the same amount.

    The judge said the sureties must show evidence of owning a property in the Federal Capital Territory worth N250m

    The judge further directed that the surety must be a civil servant not below the rank of a Director in the Federal Civil Service. The surety must also swear to an affidavit of means while the accused persons are expected to deposit their travel documents with the court in addition to informing the court whenever they need to travel outside the federal capital territory.

    The judge adjourned to January 21 next year for commencement of trial.

    Dasuki, Salisu, Baba-Kusa  and two companies – Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited were charged with conspiracy and criminal breach of trust under the Penal Code Act and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establsihment) Act.

    Dasuki and Salisu were accused of distributing funds held in the account of the NSA in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to politicians, media practitioners and businessmen purportedly for political campaigns and organizing of prayer sessions.

    The duo was, in counts 5, 6, 7 and 8, accused of paying N2.2billion to Baba-Kusa  through  the bank accounts of Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited in Zenith Bank Plc.

    Dasuki, Salisu and former Special Assistant, Domestic Affairs to the President, Hon. Warimpamowei Dudafa (now at large), were, in count 1, said to have received N10billion, which they converted to $47m and 5.6m Euro, and claimed to have distributed to  the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary election delegates  around November 27, 2014.

    Dasuki and Salihu were, in count 2, said to have, between January 22 and March 19, 2015 “remitted N2,120,000,000 into the account of Daar Investment and Holding Company Limited   controlled by one Dr. Raymond Dokpesi for the funding of the media activities for the 2015 presidential election campaign for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    They were, in counts 15, 16 and 17, accused of paying N670m “to the bank account of General Hydrocarbons Limited with Guaranty Trust Bank Plc controlled by one Obaigbena Nduka purporting the said sum to be payment for ‘energy consulting’; “N250m to the bank account of Tony Anenih with First Bank of Nigeria Plc”; and “N345m to the bank account of Starbriid Limited with Stanbic IBTC Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank controlled by one Emmanuel Lawani on behalf of Senator Iyorcha Ayu for the construction of shopping mall at Jabi, Abuja.

    Baba-Kusa, Acacia Holdings and Reliance Referral Hospital were charged in counts 9, 10, 11 and 12 for receiving funds from Dasuki and Salihu which they knew to be proceeds of criminal conduct.

    The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

     

  • Dasuki, Yuguda, Bafarawa, others to remain in EFCC custody 

    Dasuki, Yuguda, Bafarawa, others to remain in EFCC custody 

    Justice Peter Affen of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday ordered that former Minister of State for Finance Bashir Yuguda, ex-National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, former Sokoto Governor Attahiru Bafarawa and two others be further remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Also to be kept with the EFCC are former Finance and Administration Director in the office of the NSA Shuaibu Salisu and Bafarawa’s son Sagir.

    They are to remain in the EFCC custody pending the judge’s ruling on their bail application.

    The judge ordered their remand after listening to submissions from their lawyers and the prosecution on the bail application they filed.

    They were on Tuesday arraigned on a 22-count charge of breach of public trust in relation to alleged diversion of public funds and acceptance of proceed of crime estimated at about N18billion.

    They pleaded not guilty to the charges and applied for bail.

    While arguing the defendants’ bail applications the defence lawyers prayed the court to admit their clients to bail on liberal terms on the grounds that their alleged offences are bailable and that they are well-known individuals who will readily attend trial.

    Prosecution lawyer Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), urged the court to refuse their bail application because they could jump bail, interfere with prosecution witnesses, who are individuals, who worked under them.

    Jacobs argued that mere reliance on grounds of ill-health was insufficient for the court to grant bail to a defendant.

     He said the defendants must show that the ailment was life threatening and that the detaining authority lacked the capacity to effectively provide the needed medical assistance. Justice Affen adjourned to Monday for ruling.

  • EFCC: Dasuki diverted cash to buy houses in Dubai, London

    EFCC: Dasuki diverted cash to buy houses in Dubai, London

    The Federal Government yesterday clarified its position in the ongoing trial of former National Security Adviser (NSA) Mohammed Sambo Dasuki before the High court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

    It said the ex-NSA was being tried because he was involved in various activities that bordered on economic sabotage, compromise of the nation’s security and endangering the lives of Nigerian soldiers involved in the anti-terrorism fight with members of the Boko Haram sect.

    The government said investigation by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives revealed that Dasuki allegedly diverted huge funds meant for the nation’s security, with which he allegedly procured properties in foreign cities, such as Dubai and London.

    It warned against granting bail to Dasuki on the grounds that he could be attacked by relatives of ill-equipped soldiers, who died in the anti-terror war as a result of Dasuki’s alleged diversion of funds meant for the purchase of arms and ammunition for the military.

    It said investigation had been intensified to trace his assets in other foreign countries and ascertain where the yet to be located stolen funds are being hidden outside the country.

    The government’s position is contained in a counter affidavit filed by the EFCC against Dasuki’s bail application. The affidavit was deposed to by an operative with the EFCC, Hassan Saidu, who said he was part of the team investigating Dasuki.

    “The offences being alleged against the defendant/applicant border on economic sabotage that strikes at the very foundation of Nigeria’s wellbeing and existence.

    “The security of the Nigerian nation was compromised and the lives of innocent Nigerian soldiers in the battlefront against terrorists were endangered on account of diversion of funds meant for the security of the nation by the applicant herein.

    “It is in the interest of justice to put the applicant in protective custody so as to protect him from a possible attack by the relatives of the innocent soldiers who lost their lives due to lack of adequate equipment and facilities caused by the diversion of the funds meant for that purpose.

    “Apart from the cases that are pending against the applicant, he is also being investigated in respect of other criminal allegations. The applicant acquired a large volume of assets with the proceeds of crimes and my team is currently tracing the assets and, if released on bail, the applicant will interfere with the asset tracing activities.

    “The applicant transferred huge sums of monies to various companies, whose identifies we are still trying to trace. And, if released on bail, the applicant will interfere and frustrate our investigation. Our investigation also revealed that the applicant transferred large sums of monies outside Nigeria and he acquired several assets in Dubai and London with these funds.

    “The prosecution is prepared to prove its case within the shortest possible time if the application is refused and the court orders accelerated hearing,” Saidu said.

    The lead prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), arguing the counter affidavit yesterday, urged the court to refuse the bail applications by Dasuki and two others arraigned with him on Monday on a 19-count charge of criminal breach of public trust and diversion of public funds. They are ex-Finance and Administration Director in the office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu and former Executive Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Aminu Baba-Kusa.

    Jacobs faulted the argument by Dasuki’s lawyer, Ahmed Raji (SAN), that a Federal High Court, before which another case was pending against his client, had ruled that the offences are bailable. He contended that both cases were distinguishable.

    ‘‘Money laundering is a secondary offence and not a primary offence. But the charges before My Lord here are primary offences. My learned friend didn’t tell My Lord whether his client was enjoying the bail granted him by the other court before he was transferred to us (EFCC). Every money laundering case has a predicate offence.’’

    Jacobs argued that presumption of innocence is not a sufficient ground for the accused persons to be granted bail. He noted that the status of the first defendant would intimidate the prosecution witnesses who had worked under him.

    ‘‘They are not entitled to bail because they may jump bail. I recognise that the granting or refusal of bail is at the discretion of the court, but if they will interfere with investigation of other cases that will be instituted against them, you can refuse them bail. If bail application is filed, it is not automatic that it must be granted,’’ Jacobs said.

    On Raji’s argument that the charges did not indicate that the alleged money was for procurement of arms, Jacobs said the proof of evidence showed the purposes for which the money was meant, which was for the purchase of security equipment.

    Moving his client’s bail application earlier, Raji urged the court to allow Dasuki on bail pending the conclusion of his trial.

    He argued that under the Constitution, an accused is presumed innocent, no matter the gravity of the charge before the court. Also, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 has made bail possible in all cases.’’

    Raji urged the court to discountenance Jacobs’ argument, particularly in relation to his claim that the former NSA would interfere with further investigation and witnesses in the current case.

    He urged the court to seriously consider the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja which had earlier granted Dasuki bail in another case.

    “It will amount to internal inconsistency. I urge you, My Lord,  to grant the first defendant bail on very liberal terms, even if you are not moved by the ruling by your brother at the Federal High Court.’’

    Justice Baba-Yusuf cut in, telling Raji that the case before him and the one in which the first defendant is standing trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja are different.

    ‘‘Move the circumstances on which the bail should be granted and that is what will impress me,” Justice Baba-Yusuf said.

    Salisu’s lawyer, A.U. Mustapha, argued in a similar manner, noting that his client has served the country meritoriously for 29 years.

    “He is a responsible citizen of this country and he is ready to defend himself. He needs his liberty and unfettered access to his lawyer. He also needs to consult his books. So, he needs his freedom to be able to do all this,’’ he said.

    Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf adjourned till Friday for ruling on the bail application. He directed that the defendants be further remanded in the custody of the EFCC.

     

     

  • Alleged N18b fraud: Court remands Dasuki, Turaki, Bafarawa, others in EFCC custody

    Alleged N18b fraud: Court remands Dasuki, Turaki, Bafarawa, others in EFCC custody

    •To consider bail application today

    Former Minister of State for Finance Bashir Yuguda, ex-National Security Adviser (NSA) Mohammed Dasuki, former Sokoto Governor Attahiru Bafarawa and three others have been ordered remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Also to be kept with the EFCC are former Finance and Administration Director in the office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu and a son of the ex-Sokoto State governor, Sagir Attahiru.

    Justice Peter Affen of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ordered their remand yesterday after the five men were arraigned with a company allegedly linked with Sagir – Dalhatu Investment Limited.

    They were arraigned on a 22-count charge of breach of public trust in relation to alleged diversion of public funds and acceptance of proceed of crime estimated at about N18billion.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty when each count of the charge was read to them.

    Shortly after their plea was taken, the lead prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), urged the court to fix a date for the trial.

    Jacobs told the court that the defence lawyers filed a bail application on behalf of their clients.

    He said the prosecution opposed the bail application filed by the defence.

    Defence lawyers – Peter Akpe (SAN), Ahmed Raji (SAN), Joshua Olatoke (SAN), Hakeem Afolabi (SAN) and A. U. Mustapha – confirmed Jacob’s position.

    Justice Affen ordered that the defendants be remanded in EFCC custody, pending hearing of their bail application.

    He adjourned till 12 noon today for the hearing of the bail application and the prosecution’s counter affidavit.

    Dasuki and Salisu were, in count 1, accused of transferring N3.350b from the NSA’s account in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the account of Dalhatu Investment Limited with the United Bank of Africa (UBA) “purporting same to be payment for the supply of security equipment and thereby committed an offence under Section 315 of Penal Code Act”.

    Bafarawa, Sagir and Dalhatu Investment were, in counts 3 and 4, accused of receiving “proceeds of crime” in their alleged acceptance of the N3.350b from Dasuki and Salisu.

    In count 16, Dasuki, Salisu and Yuguda were accused of transferring N1.1b “to the account of Jabbama Ada Globaal Services Nigeria Limited for the purpose of financing the campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general elections.”

    In count 19, Dasuki and Salisu were said to have “dishonestly misappropriated” N1.675b which they allegedly “transferred to the account of  Vibrant Resources Limited controlled by Abubakar Dasuki, the younger brother of Dasuki” and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 309 of the Penal Code.

    This is the third case involving Dasuki. He was earlier this year arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja for illegal arms possession and money laundering.

    He was again arraigned before Justice Baba Yusuf of the High Court of the FCT, with four others,  on a 19-count charge of “criminal breach of public trust” and diversion of public funds estimated at N13.5billion.

     

  • Dasuki, others arraigned for alleged N13b fraud

    Dasuki, others arraigned for alleged N13b fraud

    Accused plead not guilty to charges

    Yuguda, Bafarawa to be charged today

    ALL THE CHARGES

    • That you Dasuki, Salisu and Dudafa (now at large) gave N10b to PDP presidential primary election delegates
    • That you Dasuki, Salisu paid N2.1b into the account of DAAR Investment and Holding Company Limited to fund media activities for the 2015 presidential election campaign for the PDP
    • That you Dasuki and Salisu paid N90million into the account of Brains and Hammers Limited to buy 7-bedroom duplex house at No.11 Mansur Bamalli Drive(D1064), Apo 1 Abuja in the name of Dasuki’s son
    • That you Dasuki and Salisu paid N170million into the account of Urban Abode Nigerian Limited to buy 4-bedroom duplex house  at Plot 2562/2643 Platinum Villa (PV) Asokoro Abuja in the name of AVM M.N. Umaru
    • That you Dasuki and Salisu paid N1.45billion to Acacia Holdings Limited controlled by Aminu Baba-Kusa for organising prayers.
    • That you Dasuki and Salisu paid N750m to Reliance Referral Hospital Limited in favour of Baba-Kusa for prayers.
    • That you Dasuki and Salisu paid N380m to Belsha Nigeria Limited controlled by Bello Matanwalle for sharing to support some members of the House of Representatives for  their re-election campaign
    • That you Dasuki and Salisu paid N670m to General Hydrocarbons Limited controlled by Nduka Obaigbena for “energy consulting”
    • That you Dasuki and Salisu paid N260m to Tony Anenih

    Former National Security Adviser (NSA) Mohammad Sambo Dasuki was yesterday arraigned for alleged diversion of public funds estimated at N32 billion.

    Also arraigned were the ex-Director of Finance in the office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu, ex-Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Aminu Baba-Kusa and two companies.

    Dasuki, Salisu,  Baba-Kusa  and the two companies — Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited— were arraigned before Justice Baba Yusuf of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, Abuja on a 19-count charge.

    They were charged with conspiracy and criminal breach of trust under the Penal Code Act and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establsihment) Act.

    Dasuki and Salisu were accused of distributing funds held in the account of the NSA in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to politicians, media practitioners and businessmen purportedly for political campaigns and organising of prayer sessions.

    The duo were, in counts 5, 6, 7 and 8 accused of paying N2.2billion to Baba-Kusa  through  the bank accounts of Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited in Zenith Bank Plc.

    Dasuki, Salisu and former Special Assistant, Domestic Affairs to the President, Warimpamowei Dudafa (now at large) were, in count 1, said to have received N10billion, which they converted to $47m and 5.6m Euro, and claimed to have distributed to  the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary election delegates  around November 27, 2014.

    Dasuki and Salihu were, in count 2, said to have, between January 22 and March 19, 2015 “remitted N2,120,000,000 into the account of Daar Investment and Holding Company Limited   controlled by one Dr. Raymond Dokpesi for the funding of the media activities for the 2015 presidential election campaign for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)”.

    They were in counts 15, 16 and 17 accused of paying N670m “to the bank account of General Hydrocarbons Limited with Guaranty Trust Bank Plc controlled by one Obaigbena Nduka purporting the said sum to be payment for’ energy consulting’; “N250m to the bank account of Tony Anenih with First Bank of Nigeria Plc”; and “N345m to the bank account of Starbriid Limited with Stanbic IBTC Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank controlled by one Emmanuel Lawani on behalf of Senator Iyorchia Ayu for the construction of shopping mall at Jabi, Abuja.

    Baba-Kusa, Acacia Holdings and Reliance Referral Hospital were charged in counts 9, 10, 11 and 12 with receiving funds from Dasuki and Salihu which they knew to be proceeds of criminal conduct.

    The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them yesterday. Their bail application could not be taken, following which the court adjourned to today, at about 12 noon for the hearing of the bail application and the counter affidavit by the prosecution team led by Rotimi Jacobs (SAN). They are to remain in the custody of the EFCC till the court considers their bail application.

    Counts of the charge read thus: “That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser and Hon. Waripamowei Dudafa(now at large) whilst being Senior Special Assistant , Domestic Affairs to the President on or about 27th November within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: the sum of N10billion being part of the funds in the account of the National Security Adviser with the CBN, the equivalent of which sum you received from the CBN in foreign currencies to wit: $47million and €5.6million Euros committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property when you claimed to have distributed same to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Primary Election delegates and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.

    “That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA)  between 22nd January 2015 and 19th March 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: N2,120,000,000 which was in the account of National Security Adviser with the CBN committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property by remitting the said sum into the account of DAAR Investment and Holding Company Limited controlled by one Dr. Raymond Dokpesi for the funding of media activities for the 2015 Presidential Election Campaign for the PDP and you  thereby committed an offence punishable under under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.

    “That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser on or about 12th December 2013 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and in such capacities  entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: N90million which was in the account of the ONSA with Diamond Bank Plc, committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property by remitting the said sum into the account of Brains and Hammers Limited for the purchase of 7-bedroom duplex house at No.11 Mansur Bamalli Drive(D1064), Apo 1 Abuja in the name of the son of Dasuki and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.

    “That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser on or about 28th January 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and in such capacities  entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: N170million which was in the account of the ONSA with Skye Bank Plccommitted criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property by remitting the said sum into the account of Urban Abode Nigerian Limited for the purchase of 4-bedroom duplex house  at Plot 2562/2643 Platinum Villa(PV) Asokoro Abuja in the name of AVM M.N. Umaru and  you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.

    “That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser between 9th October 2014 and 17th April 2015 in Abuja dishonestly misappropriated certain property to wit: N1.45billion belonging to the Federal Republic  of Nigeria which sum was transferred to Acacia Holdings Limited’s bank account controlled by one Aminu Baba-Kusa purporting same to be payment for organising prayers and  you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.

    “That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser on or about 17th April 2015 in Abuja, dishonestly misappropriated certain property to wit: N750million belonging to the Federal Republic  of Nigeria which sum was transferred to Reliance Referral Hospital Limited’s bank account in favour of one Aminu Baba-Kusa purporting same to be payment for organising prayers and  you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.

    “That you Acaci Holdings Limited and Aminu Baba-Kusa between 9th October 2014 and 17th April 2915  in  Abuja knew that an aggregate sum of N1.45b directly represented the proceeds of criminal conducts of Mohammed Sambo Dasuki and Shuaibu Salisu who were NSA  and the Director of Finance of ONSA respectively to wit: criminal breach of trust in respect of the said amount, used the said property and  you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 17(b) of the EFCC(Establishment) Act 2004.

    “That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser on or about 9th April 2015 in Abuja dishonestly misappropriated certain property to wit: N380million belonging to the Federal Republic  of Nigeria which sum was transferred to Belsha Nigeria Limited’s bank account controlled by Hon. Bello Matanwalle for distribution to support some members of the House of Representatives for  their re-election campaign and  you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 309 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.

    “That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA)  between 12th August 2014 and 23rd March 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and in such capacities  entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: the sum of N670million being part of the funds in the account of the ONSA with the CBN committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property when you transferred same to the bank account of General Hydrocarbons Limited with the Guaranty Trust Bank controlled by one Nduka Obaigbena purporting the said sum to be payment for “energy consulting” and  and  you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.

    “That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA)  on or about 28th November 2014  in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and in such capacities  entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: the sum of N260million being part of the funds in the account of the ONSA with Skye Bank Plc committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property when you transferred same to the bank account of Tony Anenih with First Bank of Nigeria Plc and  you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.

    “That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA)  between 8th January and 4th March 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and in such capacities  entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: an aggregate sum of N345million being part of the funds in the account of the ONSA with  the CBN committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property when you transferred same to the bank account Starbriid Limited with Stanbic IBTC and Guaranty Trust Bank controlled by one Emmanuel Lawani on behalf of Senator Iyorchia Ayu for the construction of shopping mall at Jabi, Abuja, purporting the said sum to be payment for satellite charges and security equipment and  you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.

    “That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA)  between October 2014 and April  2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, agreed to do an illegal act to wit: criminal breach of trust by public officers in respect of an aggregate sum of N13.570 billion being part if the funds in the accounts of the ONSA and that the same act was done in pursuance of the agreement  among you and  you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004,”

    Former Minister of State for Finance Bashir Yuguda, former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa and four others listed in a separate charge of 22 counts are scheduled to be arraigned today before Justice Peter Affen of the High Court of the FCT, Maitama, Abuja.

    Their planned arraignment yesterday was stalled by the absence of some lawyers to some of the accused persons.