Tuesday, November 3, 2015 is the day set for ruling on applications for the release of the passport of Col. Sambo Dasuki’s (rtd) to enable him travel abroad for medical treatment. While ruling on an application by federal government for a Secret Trial of former National Security Adviser (NSA) is still being awaited.
Dasuki is standing trial on a five count charge bothering on illegal possession of firearms and possession of outrageous amounts of local and foreign currency in his residence contrary to Money Laundering Act.
Dasuki was first charged on Monday August 24, 2015 on a one count charge of illegal possession of firearms.
He was granted bail on self recognition while the trial judge Adeniyi Ademola ordered the Department of State Security Services to submit Dasuki’s passport which it had seized with the court registrar.
The prosecution counsel filed four fresh charges on October 26 and also asked for a secret trial to protect witnesses even though all the names of witnesses had been mentioned in the court processes
Dasuki had requested the court for to release his travel passport to enable him attend to his personal health issues abroad and objected to the Secret Trial, preferring open trial of the case for the benefit of the public. The hearing was adjourned.
At the resumed hearing of the case this Monday, Justice Ademola revealed that Dasuki had filed an application for urgency to hear the motion for release of his passport as the date of appointment given by his medical doctor had since elapsed.
Dasuki’s Counsel, Mr. Joseph Dawodu (SAN) said Dasuki needed his passport to honour a pending medical appointment and urged the judge to direct the Registrar of the court to release the passport.
Objecting to the application, Mr. Muhammed Diri, Federal Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) argued that seizing Dasuki’s passport was the only condition upon which he was granted bail and that it has been discovered that the ailment of the accused could be treated at the National Hospital, Abuja.
Again reacting to Diri, Dawodu argued that refusal to release the passport would be tantamount to punishing Dasuki and it would also appear as if he had already been sentenced “whereas it is only to secure his appearance.”
Justice Ademola, while deferring his ruling on the matter till Tuesday asked Diri to present any legal authority to support his opposition to the request.
