Ex-NSA, Dasuki Withdraws Motion Seeking Case Transfer

ex-nsa_sambo_dasukiEmbattled former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, on Monday withdrew his motion seeking the transfer of his case file before Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, to another court.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arraigned the ex-NSA and four others on a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N13.5bn before Justice Baba-Yusuf.

The others are; Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance and Administration, Office of the NSA; Aminu Babakusa, a former General Manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); and two firms – Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited.

At the resumption of the hearing yesterday after the court had announced the commencement of its annual vacation, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), informed the court that the case was earlier adjourned to yesterday for the application filed by the first defendant.

Responding to the observation by the prosecution, Counsel to Dasuki, Adedayo Adedeji, holding brief for J. B. Daudu (SAN), told the court that his client sought to withdraw the motion dated 11/06/2016 and filed on 13/06/2016 seeking transfer to another judge.

With no objection received from other parties in the case, Justice Baba-Yusuf struck out the motion.

The defence lawyer also informed the court of another motion filed on June 31, 2016 seeking the consolidation of the charges before the court with another case before Justice Peter Affen of the same court. He pleaded with the court for a date to move the motion.

Counsel to the second defendant (Salisu), a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Akin Olujinmi (SAN) urged the court to give the date already agreed upon by the counsel, October 5 for the motion to be moved.

Justice Baba-Yusuf therefore adjourned the trial to October 5, 2016 for definite hearing on the motion for consolidation of charges.