The former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki and other persons involved in the 2.1 billion arm deals scam were arraigned before Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf in an Abuja High Court sitting at Maitama by the Economic and Financial Commission.
Dasuki was accused over a fresh 19-count criminal charge and docked alongside was the former Director of Finance in the Office of the NSA, Mr. Shuaibu Salisu, former Executive Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Commission, NNPC, Aminu Baba-Kusa, as well as his companies, Acacia Holding Limited and Reliance Referal Hospital Limited.
These accused persons were alleged to have illegally diverted over N13.6billion from the national treasury, pleaded not guilty to the entire charge against them. They have been accused by the EFCC of allegedly supervising the unlawful disbursement of billions of Naira from the county’s treasury through different bank account attached to the office of the National Security Agency NSA.
The funds were allegedly distributed to delegates to the Presidential Primary Election the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP held in Abuja, a process that saw the emergence of ex-President Jonathan as the sole candidate for the party.
The EFCC, among other things, alleged that the sum of N13.570 billion, being money for an “agreement”, between Dasuki and the ex-Director of Finance in the office of the NSA, Salisu, was looted from the national treasury.
They were said to have transferred a total sum of N1.45b to Acacia Holdings Limited’s account for special prayers; N2.1b given to DAAR Investment and Holding Company Limited for publicity; N170m for a four-bedroom duplex; N380m to support re-election of members of the House of Representatives; and N750m paid into Reliance Referral Hospital Limited’s account for special prayers.
Besides, EFCC said its investigations revealed that N670m was paid to certain publisher, N260m transferred to Tony Anenih and N345million traced to a former President of the Senate, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu.
The misappropriation of national funds is an offence of criminal breach of trust according to the provisions of section 315 of the Nigerian Penal Code Act, and section 17 (b) of the EFCC Act, 2004
Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf of the Abuja high Court adjourned the case till Tuesday to hear their separate applications for bail.