The long-running trial of former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), for his alleged involvement in a N33.2 billion fraud began afresh on Tuesday at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja. This marks the beginning of the trial, 10 years after the case was first filed under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Dasuki, alongside three other defendants, was re-arraigned on 32 charges, including criminal breach of trust, dishonest release of funds, and the receipt of N33.2bn in illicit sums. His co-defendants include Aminu Baba-Kusa, the former General Manager of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, and two companies: Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited.
The re-arraignment took place before Justice Charles Agbaza, who was newly assigned to the case by the FCT Chief Judge, Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf.
Background of the Case
This case has a complex history. Initially filed in 2015, Dasuki was first arraigned on December 14, 2015, alongside Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser. The two were charged with defrauding the Nigerian government of N15.5bn. However, as the case progressed, the charges were amended, and Salisu’s name was removed from the case.
On May 11, 2018, Dasuki was re-arraigned alongside other defendants on 32 revised counts. During the proceedings, only one witness, the investigating officer, had been called, but the case was adjourned before the evidence-in-chief could be concluded.
In addition to this particular case, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) also filed another fraud case against Dasuki in 2015, involving former Minister of State for Finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda; former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa; his son, Sagir Bafarawa; and their company, Dalhatu Investment Limited. This second case, marked FCT/HC/CR/42/2015, accused the defendants of misappropriating N19.4bn in public funds.
Court Proceedings on Tuesday
At Tuesday’s hearing, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all 32 charges read to them. Following this, the prosecution counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, requested a date to officially begin the trial.
In response, the defense lawyers, A.A. Usman (for Dasuki) and Richard Ibiye (for Baba-Kusa), made an application to allow the defendants to continue benefiting from their existing bail, assuring the court of their consistent attendance at all previous sessions.
The prosecution did not object to the request but emphasized the importance of ensuring that all defendants are present for each court session. Justice Agbaza granted the request, allowing the defendants to remain on their current bail.
The case was adjourned to July 1, 2025, for further proceedings.
