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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 Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for an independent, transparent, and comprehensive investigation into the academic and professional credentials of all members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), beginning with President Bola Tinubu himself.
Atiku’s call comes in the wake of the recent resignation of the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, over an alleged certificate scandal.
Following the controversy surrounding the authenticity of his academic qualifications, Nnaji tendered his resignation on Tuesday. He, however, maintains that his resignation is not an admission of guilt.
Reacting to the development in a post on his X handle on Wednesday, Atiku said the resignation of the former minister has “once again brought to light the deep moral crisis at the heart of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.”
The former Vice President also questioned Tinubu’s own credentials, alleging that they have been the subject of controversy for decades. He, therefore, called for a thorough investigation into the credentials of all FEC members, starting with the President.
“This episode is not isolated. It is a reflection of a pattern — a rot that begins from the very top. The man who occupies the office of President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has for decades been enmeshed in controversies surrounding his identity, age, and academic records.
“From the Chicago State University saga to multiple contradictory claims under oath, the world has seen ample evidence that Nigeria today is led by a man who himself has been unable to credibly defend the authenticity of his own certificates.
“When a man of questionable identity leads a country, deception becomes the standard of governance. Tinubu’s personal history of alleged forgery and perjury has effectively institutionalized falsehood in public service.
“It is, therefore, unsurprising that his ministers and aides have taken after his example — falsifying documents, inflating records, and desecrating the moral foundation of our nation.
“I, therefore, call for an independent, transparent, and comprehensive investigation into the academic and professional credentials of all members of the Federal Executive Council, beginning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself. Nigerians deserve to know the truth about those who preside over their lives and resources.
“Tuesday’s resignation of Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has once again brought to light the deep moral crisis at the heart of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
“What should ordinarily be a matter of national shame is now being disguised as a ‘voluntary resignation’ — an attempt to whitewash yet another scandal that typifies the forgery-ridden character of this government,” Atiku said.
He condemned President Tinubu’s decision to allow Nnaji an honourable resignation rather than a dismissal.
“Let the truth be told: Uche Nnaji should not have been allowed the courtesy of resignation. He should have been summarily dismissed and prosecuted for deceit and falsification.
“By permitting him to quietly exit through the back door, the Tinubu administration has once again demonstrated that it is an assembly of forgers, impostors, and morally bankrupt individuals masquerading as public servants.”
Atiku also berated the Department of State Services (DSS), questioning how Nnaji’s alleged certificate scandal escaped detection during the screening process prior to his appointment.
“What makes this even more embarrassing is that the same Department of State Services (DSS), which screened out Mallam Nasir El-Rufai for alleged ‘security concerns’, is the very agency that cleared this same character, Uche Nnaji.
“The DSS truly deserves our flowers for this national disgrace. Their failure of due diligence has made Nigeria an object of ridicule before the world and raises the question: how many more such individuals are occupying sensitive positions in this government?”
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, accepted Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s departure as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the expiration of his second term in office.
Yakubu was first appointed in November 2015 as the 14th chairman of the commission for an initial term of five years.
The appointment, which was renewed in 2020, has now expired due to the passage of time.
President Tinubu thanked Professor Yakubu for his services to the nation and his efforts to sustain Nigeria’s democracy, particularly through the organisation of free and fair elections throughout his two-term tenure.
In recognition of Yakubu’s dedicated service to the nation, President Tinubu has bestowed on him the honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
President Tinubu also directed that Professor Yakubu should hand over to the most senior national commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will direct the affairs of the Commission until the completion of the process to appoint a successor.
In the letter dated October 3, 2025, Professor Yakubu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve the nation as chairman of the commission since 2015.
The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, has resigned his position following allegations of certificate forgery levelled against him.
President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the resignation in a statement on Tuesday, saying the President has accepted the Minister’s decision to step down.
He added that “President Tinubu appointed Nnaji in August 2023. He resigned today in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria.”
Onanuga further quoted the former Minister as saying he had “been a target of blackmail by political opponents.”
“President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours,” the statement added.
