DSS grills former minister after ‘backing’ Dasuki

‎The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday invited and questioned Boni Haruna, former governor of Adamawa state and former minister of youth under former president, Goodluck Jonathan, after he stood as a surety for Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser (NSA), at the federal high court, Abuja.

Adeniyi Ademola, the judge, had granted Dasuki permission to travel abroad for medical check-up on the grounds that he would provide a surety or have his lawyers sign an undertaking that he would be available in court at the trial date.

TheCable understands that Haruna,‎ who was seen in court, stood as a surety for his associate, to fulfill the requirement of the order of the court.

Afterwards, he was invited by the DSS, which is prosecuting Dasuki for alleged illegal possession of firearms and money laundering.‎

On Monday, Joseph Daodu, Dasuki’s lawyer, had prayed the court to grant his client a three-week “leave”‎ to travel abroad for medical check-up.

He argued that Dasuki had earlier failed to keep an appointment with his doctor owing to the seizure of his travelling document. He further said that the former NSA was a public figure who would not try to evade justice.

But Mohammed Diri, the prosecuting counsel, urged the court to dismiss Dasuki’s request. He argued that the three-week absence of the defendant would stall his trial.

He further said that the former NSA was still being investigated for money laundering by the DSS, hence his temporary departure might hamper the investigation.

Diri also said that the release of the travelling document to Dasuki implied that there was no condition attached his bail.

However, in his ruling, Ademola held that the defendant was granted bail on self-recognisance on September 1, which meant he was granted bail without conditions.

After dismissing the arguments of the prosecution, he ordered the immediate release of the travelling document to Dasuki on the grounds that his counsel must sign an undertaking agreeing to produce him on the date of trial.