As the probe of embattled former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki continues, the federal government is yet to provide a copy of the invitation it said the probe panel extended to the retired military officer, to appear.
On Tuesday, a 13-man presidential committee set-up by the government to audit the procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence sector from 2007 to date released its report.
The committee, inaugurated on 31 August 2015, said its interim report has unearthed several illicit and fraudulent financial transactions.
He also lamented the “theatrical manner”, the presidency fed the public with many allegations against his person and yet to be named former public officers.
However, it appears the presidency intends to use an invitation by he Department of State Services (DSS) as a response to Dasuki’s insistence that he was never invited formally or informally.
On Thursday, the DSS released a letter it wrote Dasuki to the media. DSS has a representative on the committee.
The letter dated November 4, 2015, asked Dasuki to “meet and have audience with the Director-General, State Services on Thursday, November 5, 2015, by 1100 hours at the National Headquarters of the State Security Service, Aso Avenue, Maitama,, Abuja”.
The DSS letter, with reference number LSD.860/T, and signed on behalf of the DG of DSS by A.B Abdullahi, also read, “The invitation becomes necessary to enable you to make some clarifications on matters under investigation by the Service”.
The DSS, through another letter, dated November 7, 2015, invited Daudu to appear with his client (Dasuki) at the DSS headquarters in Abuja by 12noon on November 9, “to have an audience with the Director-General State Services.”
Again, Dasuki shunned the DSS, wondering why he was being asked to appear when the agency was blocking him from travel despite a subsisting court order.
Dasuki then approached the court, praying for the enforcement of its earlier order of November 3 that he could travel for three weeks to seek medical assistance for his ailment.
On November 13, the Federal High Court in Abuja, granted his prayers and ordered the DSS to allow Dasuki travel.
In his verdict, Justice Ademola Adeniyi, insisted that Sambo must be allowed to travel without delay.
He also warned the DSS not to disrespect his ruling, saying such would amount to impunity for the rule of law.
But the DSS has kept vigil at Dasuki’s Abuja residence, placing him under house arrest.
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN), yesterday gave an indaication that the seige on Dasuki’s house would continue,
He explained why Dasuki, would not be allowed to travel, adding that, “You can be granted bail with respect to one case and there can be other cases that public policy demands investigation.”
Speaking to DAILY POST, an associate of Dasuki said the government was not only being “economical with the truth, it is trampling on the laws of the land”.
“No one is arguing the powers of the government to investigate and prosecute, but there must be fairness.
“The probe committee was inaugurated late August. Since then, Dasuki, did not receive any form of invitation. They have his phone number, they know his house.
“Rather, the DSS is now coming out to say he was invited in November, nearly three months into the probe and when the same matter is in court.
“They have decided to make their findings public, meaning that is the way they want to go. Dasuki is up to the task. He will continue to make his own side of the story public too.”
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