Former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col Sambo Dasuki(rtd), on Tuesday told the Federal High Court, Abuja that he will not be available for trial until the Federal Government complies with an earlier court order granting him bail.
The counsel to the Department of State Service, DSS, Dipo Okpeseyi had informed the court that the prosecution was ready for the commencement of the trial.
But Dasuki’s counsel, Joseph Daudu objected, saying the defence was not ready to go ahead with the proceedings until his client who was still being held in custody despite the court order granting him bail is allowed to enjoy his full constitutional right.
Daudu said, “We cannot be ready for trial until the defendant enjoys his constitutional rights,”
“We apply that we should be given time to prepare the defence. The conduct of the prosecution has not enabled him to enjoy his constitutional rights.
“The worst is that for about seven weeks we do not know where he is. Any of us here who proceeds to defend an accused person in this circumstance may lose his license of practice.”
Okpeseyi, however, said the prosecution was not barring the accused from enjoying his freedom.
He argued that Dasuki was not being held for the charges before the court, as such prayed the court to reject the request for adjournment and to commence trial.
The court, however, adjourned till March 3 for hearing on a motion to discharge Dasuki.
Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja had in November 2015, granted Dasuki bail, but was rearrested by the Department of State Services, DSS, upon his release from Kuje prison.
The embattled former NSA is standing trial on a four-count charge of money laundering and illegal possession of firearms levelled against him by the DSS.
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