N13bn Charge: Court Grants Dasuki, Four Others Bail Accused to provide N250 million bond each

Col. Sambo Dasuki

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

A  Federal Capital Territory( FCT) High Court has granted the former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki( rtd.) and four others bail, on the condition that they provide N250 million bond each and a surety in like sum.

Dasuki who is facing a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N13,570,000,000, was granted bail yesterday by Justice Huessein Baba-Yusuf.

Justice Baba-Yusuf ruled that the offence is bailable but directed the accused to be remanded in the custody of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), pending the fulfillment of bail conditions.

He directed the accused to produce sureties, who must be a Director in the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).
"The sureties must provide property worth N250 million within Abuja, and an evidence of means.
"The defendants are also expected to deposit their travel passports and their counsels must notify the court of any intention by the defendants to travel out of Abuja," the judge ruled.

Baba-Yusuf adjourned the matter to Thursday and Friday, January 21 and 22 respectively for definite hearing.
Dasuki and four other persons - the former Director of Finance and Administration, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Shuaibu Salisu;  a former General Manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Aminu Babakusa; Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited are accused of misappropriating funds of the office of the NSA and “criminal abuse of trust.”
Before the ruling, Baba-Yusuf said he was amused at the arguments by the parties.

He noted that applicants "apply for bail for two reasons: either to stay out of jail, or secondly, to allow him or her time to prepare for the charges against him.”

Citing Section 162 of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA), the judge also added that the court has the right to use its discretion in granting an accused bail.

He said it was in the spirit of the CJA that the court would grant all the defendants bail with various conditions that would ensure they come back to stand trial.

Justice Baba-Yusuf also used the opportunity to admonish the federal government and security agencies against flagrant disobedience to court order.

He frowned against the fact that some court orders and rulings have been violated by the agents of the state, especially with regard to granting of bail and warned that such must not be tolerated.
Speaking to journalists after the ruling, the Counsel to Dasuki, Ahmad Raji (SAN), expressed satisfaction with the proceedings and ruling of the court.

Raji said that they would work towards meeting the bail application but noted that even at that, his client would have to be remanded at the EFCC custody until Monday ruling on his bail application concerning the alleged 22-count charge bordering on money laundering and misappropriation of fund to the tune of N19.2bn.

He also agreed with the Judge on the issue of disobedience to the court orders, which he said, is not acceptable.
"You can only say that they (Court) are fair and hopefully by the grace of God, we will comply with the conditions. Based on his (Judge) admonition today, we don't think that they will re-arrest him, except if it’s entirely a new offence. Of course, there is a pending one on Monday so he may have to be here (EFCC custody) until then," he said.