News
Dasuki Makes First Appearance In Court …Says I’m Ready For Trial
Erstwhile National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), yesterday, made his first appearance in court for continuation of his trial, exactly 30 days after he was released from prolonged detention that lasted over four years.
Dasuki, who appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja said he was ready to defend the seven-count money laundering and illegal possession of firearm charge the Federal Government preferred against him.
Consequently, the ex-NSA, through a lawyer that represented him, Kayode Ariwoola, applied and withdrew two applications he filed while he was still in detention.
Dasuki had in the first application he filed on December 11, 2018, protested the continuation of his trial despite refusal by the Federal Government to obey different court rulings that ordered his release on bail.
In the second application he filed on January 8, 2019, the ex-NSA urged the court to invite some senior lawyers, including the current and two former presidents of the Nigerian Bar Association, to give their legal opinion on the propriety or otherwise of his continued detention without bail.
However, Federal Government, in an unpredicted move on December 24, 2019, ordered his release from custody of the Department of State Service (DSS).
Owing to the development, Dasuki’s lawyer, Ariwoola, yesterday, told the court that the two pending applications were overtaken by events.
He said: “My lord, we have two applications pending before this court. The two applications have been overtaken by the event because our client was released on December 24, 2019.
“In the circumstance, we apply to withdraw the applications”.
The Federal Government’s lawyer, Mr Dipo Okpeseyi (SAN), said he was not opposed to the withdrawal request.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed subsequently struck out the applications, even as he fixed March 11 and 12 for the continuation of the trial.
The court had on November 19, 2018, granted Federal Government leave to try Dasuki in absentia after he repeatedly failed to show up for trial.
Trial Justice made the order after Federal Government, in an affidavit, it filed before the court, alleged that the then detained former NSA blatantly declined to further subject himself for trial.
It told the court that the ex-NSA said he would no longer make himself available for any proceeding in respect of the criminal charge against him.
The Federal Government, therefore, applied to be allowed to try the Defendant in absentia, in line with section 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
While granting the request, the trial Judge noted that Dasuki personally wrote a letter to the court on November 12, 2018, and adduced reasons why he would no longer appear for his trial.
“It is very clear that the Defendant is not willing to be attending to court for his trial. I hereby invoke Section 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, to continue this trial in the absence of the Defendant”, the judge held.
Meanwhile, over a year after the order was made, no substantial progress was made in the case.
The Federal Government had in the charge before the court, alleged that Dasuki was on July 17, 2015, at his house situated at No. 13, John Khadiya Street, Asokoro, Abuja, found to be in possession of various range of firearms without requisite license, an offence punishable under section 27 (1)(a) of the Firearms Act Cap F28 LFN 2004.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
