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 Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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