The Federal High Court in Abuja has given the Federal Government a firm deadline in September to bring to a close the long-drawn prosecution of retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki, the former National Security Adviser (NSA).
Dasuki faces serious allegations including unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering, charges that have been pending in the court system for nearly ten years.
Presiding over the case, Justice Peter Lifu has scheduled court sessions for September 24th, 25th, and 26th. During these dates, the Federal Government is expected to present any remaining witnesses and tender all exhibits related to the charges against Dasuki. Once the prosecution has concluded its case, the court expects Dasuki to open his defence in response to the allegations.
Dasuki was first arraigned before the court in 2015, facing a seven-count amended charge sheet. The charges encompass a range of offences tied to the unlawful acquisition and possession of firearms, as well as alleged involvement in laundering large sums of money. As the case progresses, much attention has been paid to the evidence recovered during searches of Dasuki’s residences.
At the last court sitting, a prosecution witness named Monsur Mohammed provided key testimony regarding the searches conducted after Dasuki’s arrest. Mohammed, who works as an exhibits keeper with the Department of State Services (DSS), detailed how search warrants were executed on multiple properties owned by Dasuki in Abuja, Kaduna, and Sokoto.
Under cross-examination by the prosecution’s lead counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Oladipupo Okpeseyi, Mohammed enumerated the items recovered from Dasuki’s Abuja residence, located at 46 Nelson Mandela Street, Asokoro. These items included a variety of electronic devices, financial documents, and other materials believed to be linked to the charges.
Specifically, the recovered items included two Compact Discs (CDs) from Freedom Radio related to “Jokolo,” two GT Bank cheque books, two Blackberry phones, a Nokia phone, a flash drive, and an Apple laptop. Additionally, the investigators seized a bank statement, a Visa card, and an official approval letter granting a radio station license to Afri-Media Integrated Ltd. Another CD concerning the arrest and execution of Mohammed Yusuf was also found, along with cash totaling $500 US dollars and 533 Saudi Riyals.
Further evidence from the Abuja residence included an HSBC account book and a cheque book for Habibson Ltd, a company owned by Abubakar Ibrahim. The court formally admitted these items into evidence as Exhibits MSD 015 through MSD 034 after the defence counsel, Mr. Ahmed Usman, raised no objections.
In Sokoto State, at Dasuki’s residence in Sabo Birni, Mohammed testified that $150,000 was discovered during the search. This cash was subsequently deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria as part of the ongoing investigation. The prosecution indicated plans to bring the physical cash to court to be formally tendered as evidence in due course.
Conversely, at another property owned by Dasuki located on Sultan Abubakar Road in Sokoto, no items were found during the search, as the witness reported.
Following the presentation of this evidence, the Federal Government’s counsel sought an adjournment to allow more time to gather and present additional items discovered during the execution of the four search warrants on Dasuki’s various residences.
Justice Lifu granted the adjournment but emphasized the need for the Federal Government to be fully prepared to conclude its case and for Dasuki to be ready to commence his defence without further delay.
The judge then adjourned the matter until September 24th, 25th, and 26th, marking critical dates for what may be the final phase of this high-profile trial.
This case remains one of the most closely watched legal battles in Nigeria, given Dasuki’s former position as NSA and the gravity of the allegations against him. The court’s firm deadline signals a clear intent to expedite resolution after years of delays and adjournments.