By Vivian Okejeme
Abuja
Former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), yesterday asked Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja, to suspend further hearing on his trial.
Dasuki is being prosecuted by the federal government on a charge of alleged money laundering and illegal arms possession.
At the resumed trial yesterday, Dasuki asked the trial judge to hands off the case, pending the outcome of an appeal he filed challenging a ruling of the court that permitted the federal government to shield identities of 14 witnesses billed to testify against him.
Counsel to Dasuki, Ahmed Raji, prayed the court to adjourn further hearing on the matter to enable the appellate court to decide the appeal marked CA/A/523C/2017.
He relied on section 305 of the ACJA and section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Opposing the application, the prosecution counsel, Mr.
Okpeseyi, submitted that section 306 of the same ACJA rules out granting of stay of proceeding in criminal trial.
He, therefore, pray the court to dismiss Dasuki’s application and proceed with hearing the oral evidence of three witnesses he said were present in court.
After taking the submissions of both parties, Justice Mohammed reserved ruling on Dasuki’s application till November 15.
The court had, on June 15, granted leave for all the prosecution witnesses to give their evidence behind screen.
The ruling was premised on section 232 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA 2015, which the judge said permits the use of screen in the prosecution of cases involving economic crime.
He maintained the charges against Dasuki borders on money laundering.
The federal government, in the charge, 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 fi rearms without requisite license, an offence punishable under section 27 (1)(a) of the Firearms Act Cap F28 LFN 2004.
He was accused of retaining the sums of $40,000, N5 millon and another $20,000 in the same house and same date, contrary to section 15 (2)(d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.
FG further alleged that the exNSA had on July 16, 2015, at his residence at Sultan Abubakar Road and Sabon Birni Road, Sokoto state, retained another $150,000 and N37.
6 million being part of proceedings of unlawful act, contrary to Section 15 (3) of the Money Laundering Act 2011.
It listed the alleged illegal arms it found at Dasuki’s residence, in Abuja as five Tavor Assault Rifles, one Macro Uzi with serial No 60244(Rifle), 20 magazines (Ammunition), one packet of MOD (Ministry of Defence) APG calibre gun, Luger No 033375 (gun), small magazine containing 16 rounds of ammunition, and bigger magazine containing live rounds of ammunition.
