Dasuki, defence lawyer’s absence stall trial

Absence of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuk and his lead defence counsel Joseph Daudu (SAN) at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday stalled Dasuki trial on money laundering and illegal possession of firearms.

Surprisingly, however, the private prosecution counsel, Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN), attempt to query the defendant absence in court was rebuffed by defendant counsel Adeola Adedipe who blamed the prosecution and complaint for not producing Dasuki in court.

When the matter came up yesterday for trial Adedipe informed the court that the lead defence counsel Joseph Daudu (SAN) has written the court asking for adjournment and that the defendant Dasuki was not in court.

Okpeseyi (SAN), said that beside the lead defence counsel letter, the Dasuki ought to be in court so that the trial can go on as two of the prosecution witnesses invited from Maiduguri are in court.

He also expressed concern that the defence counsel did not give any reason for Dasuki’s absence in court. Okpeseyi (SAN) further reminded the court that the trial which started in 2015 has not progress beyond the arraignment.

In his response, Adedipe said that it was not to his knowledge that the defendant will not be in court. “The defendant absent in court is the failure of prosecutor or the complaint to produce the defendant who is in its custody in court, he told the court.

Consequently, Justice Ahmed Mohammed whose court is trying the matter adjourned the matter to February 8, for trial.

The Federal Government, had in March last year, rearranged the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) before Justice Mohammed over alleged laundering of $190,000 and N42 million.

The seven-count criminal amended charge filed against the embattled former NSA, also include illegal possession of firearms.

Dasuki was first arraigned on five count charge on September 1, 2015 before Justice Adeniyi Ademola who was retired last year.

Though he had pleaded not guilty to the amended charge and admitted to bail that was also affirmed by current trial judge, Justice A.R Mohammed, the defendant had remained in custody of the Department of State Security Service since 2015.

Andrew Orolua, Abuja