The Department of State Security Services (DSS) has told an FCT High Court in Maitama that former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) has refused to come to the court for his trial. Dasuki was arraigned along with former Minister of Finance (State), Bashir Yuguda, former Sokoto State governor, Attahiru Bafarawa and son, Sagir Bafarawa, and a firm, Dalhatu Investment Limited on a 25-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N19.4 billion.

Following Dasuki’s absence in court on April 16, the court issued a production warrant on the DSS to ensure his presence in court for hearing at the next adjourned date. However, at the resumed hearing yesterday, the trial judge, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf told parties that the DSS wrote a letter to the court alleging that Dasuki had refused to come to court.

Subsequently, the prosecution counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, applied for a date to enable them regularise and know the next steps to take. Without objection from other counsels whose clients were in court, Justice Baba-Yusuf adjourned the matter to July 1. Daily Trust reports that Dasuki has been in the custody of the government since December 2015, despite several court orders for his release. (Daily Trust)