The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has re-arraigned former National Security Adviser, retired Col Sambo Dasuki, and three others over an alleged N33.2 billion fraud at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

Dasuki was arraigned alongside Aminu Baba-Kusa, a former General Manager of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, as well as two companies—Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited. The case was reassigned by the FCT Chief Judge, Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf, to Justice Charles Agbaza, leading to the fresh charges.

The legal battle against Dasuki dates back to December 14, 2015, when he was first charged alongside Shuaibu Salisu, former Director of Finance and Administration at the Office of the National Security Adviser. Initially facing a 19-count charge over an alleged N15.5 billion fraud, the case was later amended after Salisu’s name was dropped from the charge sheet.

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In May 2018, the case was further amended, with Dasuki and others re-arraigned on a 32-count charge. The allegations include criminal breach of trust and the dishonest release and receipt of funds amounting to N33.2 billion. The prosecution had only called one witness, the investigating officer, before the case suffered multiple adjournments and was eventually put on hold indefinitely.

Dasuki is also facing another case in the FCT High Court, initially overseen by Justice Baba-Yusuf. In that case, he was charged as the second defendant alongside former Minister of State for Finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, and former Sokoto State governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, among others. The defendants are accused of misappropriating N19.4 billion in public funds. That case has since been transferred to Justice Yusuf Halilu.

One of the major delays in Dasuki’s trials was the refusal of the Department of State Services  to release him on bail despite court orders. The prolonged detention resulted in several adjournments and legal battles over his fundamental rights.

At Tuesday’s court session before Justice Agbaza, all defendants pleaded not guilty to the 32-count charge.  prosecution counsel to EFCC, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, requested dates for trial commencement. Defendants’ lawyers, A.A. Usman and Richard Ibiye, urged the court to maintain the existing bail granted to their clients, arguing that they had never failed to appear in court.

Justice Agbaza granted the request, allowing the defendants to remain on bail while the case proceeds. The trial is set to begin on July 1, marking another chapter in the long-running legal battle over the alleged diversion of public funds.

NAN