Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf of the FCT High Court sitting in
Maitama, Abuja on Friday, October 21, 2016 granted the application brought by the
EFCC, seeking the consolidation of the two separate criminal charges against
former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and others with
respect to their involvement in the infamous N2.1billion arms scam.
Dasuki (first defendant) alongside Shuaibu Salisu, a
former Director, Finance and Administration, Office of the National Security
Adviser, ONSA; Aminu Babakusa, a former General Manager, Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation; Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital
Limited are being prosecuted by the EFCC, on a 19-count charge bordering on
money laundering and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N13, 570,000,
000.00( Thirteen Billion, Five Hundred and Seventy Million Naira).
Similarly, Dasuki is also being prosecuted by the anti graft
agency alongside Bashir Yuguda, a former Minister of State for Finance;
Attahiru Bafarawa, ex-governor of Sokoto State; his son, Sagir and their firm,
Dalhatu Investment, for N13billion fraud before Justice Afem.
At the last hearing on Wednesday, October 5, 2016, counsel
to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, moved an application for the consolidation of
the two cases to allow for diligent prosecution.
Jacobs and Dasuki’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, then agreed
before Justice Baba Yusuf to formally write the Chief Judge of the FCT
judiciary, Justice Ishaq Bello, to consolidate the two charges in the interest
of Justice.
The two counsels also urged Justice Baba-Yusuf to adjourn
the matter pending the time the Chief Judge would consider the application for
consolidation.
Consequently, the matter was adjourned to October 21, 2016
to allow the two parties reach a consensus and present the outcome of their
meeting with the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Abuja.
At the resumed sitting today, counsel to EFCC, O. A.
Atolagbe told Justice Baba-Yusuf that, “we met with Justice Afeem few minutes
ago and he has ruled that the sister charge, CR/42/15, be transferred to this
honourable court. We urge your Lordship to adjourn the two cases to the same
day for trial or for further directions.”
The defence counsels raised no objection to the
prosecution’s pleadings.
Consequently, Justice Baba-Yusuf granted the application and
ruled that, the two cases be consolidated adding that, “the implication of this
transfer is that the prosecution will serve the defence counsels so that the
defendants can be re-arraigned before this court.”
He therefore adjourned to November 16, 2016 for
re-arraignment of the accused persons.
0 Comments