Dasuki’s trial to continue in absentia, court rules

The federal high court in Abuja has ordered that the trial of Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser, will proceed in his absence.

Dasuki is standing trial for alleged illegal possession of firearms and diversion of $2.1 billion.

Dipo Okpeseyi, prosecuting counsel, on Monday told the court that Dasuki had refused to attend four court sessions since January 2018.

“He has been absent for four times. To compound the effrontery, he wrote to this court,” he said.

“That is a direct challenge to the authority of this court. We urge this court not to take the challenge lightly.”

But Victor Okwudili, counsel to Dasuki, argued that the court ought to give the defendant an opportunity to explain himself.

In his ruling, Ahmed Mohammed, the judge, invoked the provision of section 352(4) of the administration of criminal justice act 2015, which allows the trial of a defendant to proceed in his or her absence if there is no reasonable explanation for being absent.

“It is very clear that the defendant is not willing to be attending court for his trial,” he said.

“I hereby invoke the provision of section 352(4) of the administration of criminal justice act by ordering the trial proceed in his absence.”

The case was thereafter adjourned to December 11.

Dasuki had earlier written to the court, saying there was no need to submit himself for prosecution since the federal government does not obey court orders.

The retired colonel who was arrested in 2015 by the Department of State Services (DSS) has been granted bail six times but he has not been released.