EFCC seeks separate trial for Dasuki, others

The on-going trial of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), took a new twist at Thursday’s proceedings when the EFCC made a new demand.

At the resumed trial in the suit No FCT/HC/CR/43/2015, EFCC, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission told an FCT High Court that the agency will seek a court order for a separate trial for Dasuki and the seven other defendants.

Dasuki is being tried in two separate cases by EFCC since 2015 on alleged misappropriation of the fund made for the purchase of arms alongside other defendants before Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf.

Counsel to EFCC, Mr Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, on Thursday expressed frustration over the continued absence of Dasuki, who is the first defendant in the case.

He told the court that the prosecution had filed a motion dated November 4, seeking the continuation of trial in Dasuki’s absence, saying that the prosecution was served with a counter-affidavit today (Thursday).

Arguing further, Jacobs, seek for the unbundling of unbundling of the case so that Dasuki would be separated from other defendants.

“We can’t be in the same place for four years without moving.” he said.

He added that the charge against the defendants might be amended to remove Dasuki’s name to enable other defendants to face their trial without further delays.

He said that he would file separates charge against other defendants in both cases in which Dasuki is involved before the court and sought an adjournment to do so.

While opening his argument over the matter, counsel for Baba-Kusa, Mr Solomon Umoh, SAN, countered ted Jacobs submission and suggestion, saying that it does not have any place in the book.

According to Umoh, Dasuki is central to the charge against other defendants, adding that, “If he is separated, how can we get a fair hearing?”

In his ruling, Justice Baba-Yusuf gave an open adjournment and asked the prosecution to file the amendment and serve same on the defendants for them to come to court and take fresh pleas.

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