Court to determine release of Dasuki’s passport today

A Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja before Justice Adeniyi Ademola, has adjourned ruling on former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki’s application for treatment abroad.

At the resumed hearing on Monday, Justice Adeniyi said the court would make its decision known tomorrow (Tuesday), saying, “this morning I was given a copy of a reply, I think we better take that.”

Joseph Daudu, counsel to the former NSA, had prayed the court to permit the defendant to travel abroad for a medical check up, by releasing his international passport to him, saying the need to travel came up as Dasuki’s already deteriorating ailment.

He said Dasuki already had an appointment with his doctors abroad and that there was also a written address in support of the motion.

Daudu also opposed the motion that the treatment for Dasuki’s ailment was on ground and available in the National Hospital.

“My lord, that is not a ground to refuse the application. The essence of this is that the defendant will appear at any subsequent hearing,” he said

He said: “So far, the applicant has diligently appeared in all hearings.”

There is a speculative possibility that more charges may be arising and his travelling out of the country will interfere with the charges, he said.

But referring to former Delta State governor, James Ibori, and other cases, Daudu said such objection to the application should not hinder the freedom of movement of an innocent man who had been on bail.

“If the applicant was still in prison that would be different, but having granted him bail and still denying him freedom is as good as having an innocent man in jail,” he said.

However, the prosecuting counsel said his team had been served a counter affidavit this morning, saying the basis for the objection of the application was that the ailment disclosed by the applicant was such that could be treated in the National Hospital.

Referring the court to an exhibit X1 attached to a counter affidavit, he said the second reason was that Dasuki was also being investigated in respect of other offenses of money laundering by security partners.

“On this point your lordship, I refer this court to paragraph 4 of the counter affidavit,” he said, and argued that a condition to which the defendant was granted bail was to deposit his travel documents with the court and if released means he was granted bail on no condition.

He also said that the three weeks for which Dasuki was asking for travel for medical treatment would only delay the trial.

He also said the referenced Ibori case was different from the present case, noting “in that case, James Ibori was asked to produce surties, but in this case the applicant was only asked to deposit his international passport.”

The prosecuting counsel further asked the court to refuse the travel application, as the case was exceptional.

Responding to the grounds, Daudu said those grounds were punitive and suggested imprisoning. However, Adeniyi fixed ruling for November 3.

Dasuki was arraigned on fresh money laundering charges involving about N84.6 million and possession of illegal firearms.

Seyi Anjorin