Why it’s dangerous to release Dasuki – FG reveals key reasons
– The federal government explained the ECOWAS why it would be dangerous to release Sambo Dasuki from custody
– Through its witnesses, the government said that Dasuki was being held because he constituted threat to national security and was involved in the $2bn arms funds scam
– Williams Obiora, an operative of the State Security Service, said that the former national security adviser was being kept in custody for his own personal protection
– He revealed there is intelligence indicating that Dasuki can get out of the country thereby evading justice
– Dasuki’s lawyer stressed that there was no need to keep his client in protective custody because he had never requested protection from the SSS
Former national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki
The federal government explained the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) why it would be dangerous to release Sambo Dasuki, the former national security adviser (NSA), from custody.
The Punch reports that on Thursday, May 19, the government called two witnesses to oppose a fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed before the ECOWAS court by the ex-NSA seeking his release from the custody.
Through its witnesses, the government explained that Dasuki was being held because he constituted threat to national security and was involved in the $2bn arms funds scam.
“The position of the defence, which is not controverted by the applicant, is that the arms and ammunition recovered during the search (at Dasuki’s home) are not the only arms and ammunition in the possession of the applicant.
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“There is fear that he has more. There is intelligence report that some are yet to be recovered. That we fear he has more is a ground to hold him. There are ongoing investigations which are revealing fresh facts concerning him.
“The right of an individual cannot supersede the security of a country when there is intelligence report to suspect the conduct of the individual,” the lawyer said.
Taking into consideration his central role in the arms deal scandal and the calibre of top politicians that had been fingered in the alleged fraud, the former NSA was also being kept in custody for his own safety.
Premium Times reports that Williams Obiora, an operative of the State Security Service (SSS), was one of the witnesses.
Led in evidence by the lawyer to the federal government, Damian Agbe, Obiora told the court that Dasuki was arrested and kept in custody for two reasons.
“There are two basic reasons why he is still in our custody. One, for his own interest. For his own personal protection because some of the politicians implicated in the arms deal from the intelligence available to us… (he paused). Two, there is intelligence indicating that he can get out of this country thereby evading justice. These are the two main reasons,” he said.
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When asked if Dasuki requested SSS for protection, Obiora said he was not aware if the ex-NSA made such request.
“He does not need to make a request before we give him protection if his life is in danger, and we owe him a responsibility to ensure he suffers no harm,” he said.
However, Roberts Emukperuo, Dasuki’s lawyer, stressed that there was no need to keep his client in protective custody because he had never requested protection from the SSS.
The lawyer further averred that the evidence of Obiora alluded to only two reasons why his client was detained.
“He did not mention national security. He said for his own safety and so that he won’t escape. He didn’t cite national security concerns. So, the evidence of Obiora did not support the statement of defence because they are at variance,” he added.
Having listened to both parties, Justice Friday Nwoke fixed judgement for June 29.
In January 2016, Dasuki dragged the federal government before the ECOWAS court asking it to intervene in his detention without trial since December 2015.
While hearing Dasuki’s suit challenging his alleged unlawful detention, the federal government was ordered by the ECOWAS court to justify the ex-NSA detention in one day.
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