Abuja – An FCT High Court has said that the alleged diversion of N13.6 billion case against retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, a former National Security Adviser, will commence on June 6.
The judge, Justice Huessin Baba-Yusuf, adjourned the case on Monday after hearing from the parties in the matter.
Baba-Yusuf ordered that Dauski should be allowed access to his lawyers at the courtroom during working hours starting from May 23 through May 27.
Dasuki’s Counsel, Mr Adeola Adedipe, who held the brief of Mr Joseph Daudu (SAN), told the court that he had yet to have access to Dauski as ordered.
The court had on April 5, ordered that Dauski be made available to his lawyers to enable them get information from him that would aid his defence.
On trial with Dauski were Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance, Office of the National Security Adviser, and Aminu Baba-Kusa, a former NNPC Executive Director.
Also being tried were Acacia Holding Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited.
The court had at the last sitting adjourned the case at the instance of the prosecution.
Mr Leke Afolabi, who held the brief of Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the led prosecutor, had told the court that the prosecution was having challenges producing Dauski.
But on Monday, the prosecuting counsel, however, told the court that they were ready with their witnesses.
Adedipe reiterated that the defence was not ready as it had yet to have access to Dauski.
He prayed for an adjournment, pointing out that “adequate facility” should be provided for Dasuki`s lawyers to have access to him.
Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), counsel to Salisu; Mr Solomon Umoh, counsel to Baba-Kusa; Dr Abiodun Layonu (SAN), counsel for the fourth defendant; and Olajide Ayodele, counsel for the fifth defendant, said they were ready.
Olujimi said that there should be an understanding between the prosecution and Dasuki.
Umoh, who corroborated his views, told the court that the prosecution ought to have made adequate facility available for Dauski to meet with his lawyers.
Layonu also told the court to strive to ensure that both sides got justice because justice was about fairness.
He prayed the court to make a direct and specific order about the issue of access that could take care of the lingering problem. (NAN)
Dasuki: FCT court begins retired Col Dasuki’s trial on June 6
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