Ruling on Dasuki’s foreign trip set for Tuesday

Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser, will know on Tuesday whether or not his travelling documents will be released so that he can embark on a foreign trip to seek medical attention.

Justice Adeniyi Ademola of federal high court in Abuja fixed the date after hearing the submissions of Dasuki’s Counsel, Joseph Daudu, and Mohammed Diri, the prosecuting counsel.

Dasuki is standing trial for alleged possession of firearms and money laundering.

Daudu told the court that the application was pursuant to Section 36 (b) of 1999 Constitution and Section 173 sub-sections (2) of the Criminal Justice Administration Act.

He said that the application sought the release of his client’s international passport to enable him travel for medical treatment abroad. The defence counsel also asked for an order mandating the registrar of the court to release Dasuki`s passport.

Daudu argued that the issue before the court was whether the court could release the applicant’s passport to enable him travel in search for medication for his deteriorating health condition abroad.

He cited the case of James Ibori against the state, where the appeal court ruled in favour of the accused.

“My lord, the essence of the accused’s freedom is to ensure that he attends his trial and so far the accused has been attending his trial,” Daudu said.

He, therefore, urged the court to grant the request on health grounds.

Diri opposed the application, saying the ailment for which Dasuki wanted to travel abroad could be treated at the national hospital, Abuja. The prosecution argued that since the accused had been under investigation for money laundering by the department of state services, he would interfere with the ongoing investigation if allowed to travel.

He added that Ibori’s case was different from Dasuki’s, observing that Ibori was asked to produce sureties before he was granted bail, but Dasuki was granted bail on self-recognition.

He, therefore, urged the court to refuse the application.

Justice Ademola adjourned the case till November 3 for ruling on the application, as well as the earlier application by the prosecution seeking Dasuki’s secret trial.