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Dasuki Makes First Appearance In Court …Says I’m Ready For Trial

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6 years ago

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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.

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HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

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7 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.
This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”
She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.
As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.
A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.
Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.
The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.
By John Bibor
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Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

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7 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.
On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.
Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.
It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.
The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.
Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.
Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.
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Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

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7 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.
The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.
According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.
The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.
It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.
The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.
Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.
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