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Why I Stopped Attending Court Sessions – Dasuki
A former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), has explained the reason behind his decision to stop attending court sessions during his prolonged illegal detention.
Dasuki, who spoke in an interview with the Hausa Service of the Voice of America, monitored in Abuja, on Wednesday, called for justice and truth.
The ex-NSA said with his release, he was ready to face trial.
He also said he had no problem with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).
The ex-NSA, who was arrested for alleged illegal possession of firearms and money laundering in December 2015, was released on Tuesday.
No fewer than five courts granted him bails, but the Federal Government ignored the court orders.
For instance, On September 1, 2015, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, who was then of the Federal High Court in Abuja, granted the former NSA bail on self-recognition shortly after he pleaded not guilty to the charges of illegal possession of firearms, and money laundering among others.
Dasuki had, in a letter to the Federal High Court in Abuja, dated November 12, 2018, stated that he would stop appearing in court for his trial pending when the Federal Government would release him from the custody of the Department of State Services in compliance with the bail granted him by various courts.
In the interview with the Hausa Service of VOA, Dasuki said, “I was going to court. Why I stopped going to court was because the court ordered for my release. This was not obeyed. So, I said, anytime the government released me, we would continue with the case. I am ready.”
According to him, now that the government has released him, he is prepared to appear in court to answer charges levelled against him.
Asked what he had to say to Nigerians who prayed for his release, the former NSA said, “We thank all for their prayers. It is only God that will reward them. There is nothing to say other than to pray to God to reward them. We saw what started and it has ended peacefully.”
In response to another question as to whether he was nursing any ailment as a result of his incarceration, he said, “Thank God I don’t have any ailment. I don’t have any ailment. I met my family in good health; thank God.”
Asked if he had any appeal to make to government, he said, there was none.
He, however, said “Whatever happens to anyone in life, it is what God has ordained. Lack of knowledge or faith is what makes people think an individual is behind their travails or makes a person think he did this to you. It is what God ordains that happens. Like you said, I spent four years in detention; today, I am out.
“Only God knows what tomorrow holds. No one has authority over tomorrow. All that is required is justice. Everyone who goes to the mosque on Friday and is a Moslem, must have heard an Imam preach about justice and holding on to the truth. There is a reason why they do so; they should be listened to.”
Asked if there was any truth that his travail was caused by the role he played in removing the military regime of Major General Muhammadu Buhari in 1985, he said, “I don’t know about that. What I know is that what happened was destined by God.”
Asked if there was any dispute between him and the President, the ex-NSA said, “I don’t have a dispute with anyone, I am more than that.”
The former NSA was released from detention after four years in the custody of the DSS in total disregard for several court orders granting him bail.
Dasuki and the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, were released on Tuesday, 13 days after PUNCH published an editorial on Buhari regime’s lawlessness.
The Punch
Former governor of Anambra State, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has officially defected to the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Obi announced the decision on Tuesday at an event held at the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu.
“We are ending this year with the hope that in 2026 we will begin a rescue journey,” Obi said.
The National Chairman of the ADC, David Mark, was among the attendees.
United States Representative Riley Moors has said further military strikes against Islamic State-linked militants in Nigeria could follow recent operations ordered by President Donald Trump, describing the actions as aimed at improving security and protecting Christian communities facing violence.
Moore made the remarks during a televised interview in which he addressed U.S. military strikes carried out on Christmas Day against militant targets in North-west Nigeria.
The strikes were conducted in coordination with the Nigerian government, according to U.S. and Nigerian officials.
“President Trump is not trying to bring war to Nigeria, he’s bringing peace and security to Nigeria and to the thousands of Christians who face horrific violence and death,” Moore said.
He said the Christmas Day strikes against Islamic State affiliates had provided hope to Christians in Nigeria, particularly in areas affected by repeated attacks during past festive periods.
According to U.S. authorities, the strikes targeted camps used by Islamic State-linked groups operating in parts of north-west Nigeria.
Nigerian officials confirmed that the operation was carried out with intelligence support from Nigerian security agencies as part of ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation between both countries.
The United States Africa Command said the operation was intended to degrade the operational capacity of extremist groups responsible for attacks on civilians and security forces.
Nigerian authorities have described the targeted groups as a threat to national security, noting their involvement in killings, kidnappings and raids on rural communities.
Moore said the strikes marked a shift from previous years in which attacks were carried out against civilians during the Christmas period. He said the U.S. administration was focused on preventing further violence by targeting militant groups before they could launch attacks.
U.S. officials have said the military action was carried out with the consent of the Nigerian government and formed part of broader security cooperation between the two countries. Nigeria has received intelligence, training and logistical support from international partners as it seeks to contain militant activity.
Moore had previously called for stronger international attention to attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria and has urged continued U.S. engagement in addressing extremist violence. He said further action would depend on developments on the ground and continued coordination with Nigerian authorities.
Nigerian officials have maintained that counter-terrorism operations are directed at armed groups threatening civilians, regardless of religion, and have reiterated their commitment to restoring security across affected regions.
World-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua on Monday survived a ghastly road accident in Makun, Ogun State.
Eyewitnesses report that the incident occurred along a busy highway of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The vehicle carrying Joshua, a Lexus Jeep with the number plate, KRD 850 HN, reportedly collided with a stationary truck under circumstances that are still being investigated.
Joshua reportedly sustained minor injuries, while two persons were said to have died on the spot.
