No secret trial for Dasuki, court overrules DSS

Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the federal high court, Abuja, has ruled that there will be no secret trial for Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser (NSA).

The order followed an application by Muhammed Diri, counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), the prosecution, asking the court to protect his witnesses during the trial.

Diri had prayed the court to not only mask the witnesses, but also to hide their identities from the public.

He also asked the court to only allow credited journalists to witness the trial, and to restrict members of the public from witnessing it.

But Ademola held that there were no strong facts to warrant the protection of witnesses in the trial.

He therefore dismissed the application, stating that for the interest of justice, the trial will be open.

Upon a request by Ahmed Raji, counsel to Dasuki, the judge ordered the DSS to grant the defendant access to his lawyers.

Raji had told the court that Dasuki was being held in a room without windows, and that he did not have access to his lawyers, family, and some common luxuries like newspaper, television or telephone.

But Dipo Okpeseyi, counsel to the DSS, said that the former NSA was being held in a guest-house, and that he had access to some luxuries.

After listening to the counsel, the judge ruled that Dasuki be given access to his lawyers and two members of his family at the DSS interview room on Tuesdays and Thursdays.