$2.1bn arms deal: Absence of judge stalls Dasuki’s trial

The absence of Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf of an Abuja High Court on Thursday stalled the trial of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd), for allegedly misappropriating $2.1billion meant for purchase of arms.

Dasuki is also facing the charges for alleged fraud would now be tried on September 27 a date agreed yesterday by the counsel in the matter.

Other defendants in the alleged corruption case included a former Minister of State for Finance Bashir Yuguda, former Sokoto State governor Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, his son, Sagir Bafarawa, former Director of Finance in the office of the NSA, Salisu Shuaibu and Dalhatu Investment Ltd who were present in court.

But the trial could not proceed as Justice Baba-Yusuf was said to have gone outside Abuja on an assignment.

Although, the court clerks declined comments, it was learnt that the judge was part of the Federal Capital Territory Judiciary delegation attending the burial ceremony of Justice Victoria Ayodele Uzo-Amaka Onejeme, a pioneer Judge of the Abuja High court who died recently.

Lawyers appearing in the case including Chief Olajide Ayodele SAN, Dr. Kayode Olatoke SAN and Mr. Akeem Afolabi SAN among others left the court room at about 11am when information filtered to them that the trial would not proceed.

However, after consultation with each other, the lawyers and the court officials agreed to shift further hearing of the matter till September 27. The development is due to the coming yearly vacation of the court, scheduled to begin on July 10 and end in the middle of September.

Apart from lawyers, family members, associates and sympathizers of the ex -NSA who had arrived the court as early as 8am left disappointed, following the absence Dasuki in court.

The Federal government had on January 24, 2017 re-arraigned Dasuki and other defendants on 22-count charge in the case due to the transfer of the charge from Justice Peter Affen to Baba-Yusuf as part of case management.

The defendants were accused of breach of trust, money laundering and diversion of public funds.

While other defendants are on bail, Dasuki, who secured the bail along with them same day, is still been held by DSS in their custody.