The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has said the immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), compromised the security of the nation and committing economic sabotage through diversion of another N32bn meant for the purchase of arms into private enjoyment.
The commission, which also gave more details about the alleged diversion of funds meant for the purchase of arms to fir Boko Haram by the office of the NSA during Dasuki’s tenure, said they now have documents showing that the ex-NSA gave the approval for the release of the funds to the accounts of private companies and individuals.
EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), told Justice Yusuf Baba of the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja, while opposing new bail applications filed by Dasuki and his co-accused persons, who are being prosecuted on 19 counts of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and dishonest misappropriation of the money.
The other accused persons, who had pleaded not guilty to all the 19 counts on Monday, are a former Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu, and a former Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Aminu Baba-Kusa, and two companies.
The two companies, in which Baba-Kusa are their directors, are Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited.
Jacobs (SAN, who said the accused persons were still under investigation for other “aspects of the case”, added that the EFCC is still tracing more assets linked to the proceeds of the diversion of the funds.
The EFCC also revealed that Dasuki had purchased houses in London and Dubai with the proceeds of the funds meant for purchase of arms for soldiers battling the killer group, Boko Haram.
The prosecution also alleged in its counter-affidavit that Dasuki transferred huge sums of money to companies whose identities were still being traced, adding that he transferred large sums of money outside Nigeria to acquire "several assets in Dubai and London."
Its counter-affidavit also read, “That our investigation also revealed that the applicant transferred large sums of monies outside Nigeria and he acquired several assets in Dubai and London with these funds.”
The defence lawyers, representing the accused persons – Ahmed Raji (SAN) for Dasuki, A. U. Mustapha for Salisu, and Solomon Umoh (SAN) for Baba-Kusa and his companies – had, while moving their respective bail applications, claimed that the charges filed before the court did not indicate that the money in question was meant for the procurement of arms.
But Jacobs (SAN), in picking holes in the lawyers’ contention, referred the judge to pages 14 to 58 of the prosecution’s proof of evidence, which he said contained documents detailing the approval of the former NSA for the release of various sums of money to individuals and private companies for the procurement of arms.
Jacobs (SAN) said, “In our proof of evidence, we mentioned security money meant for purchase of arms. We also mentioned security equipment, but they decided not to look at it.
"Page 14 to page 58 of our proof of evidence showed approval for the supply of security equipment, satellite and arms. All the charges we filed were based on funds approved for the purchase of arms.”
According to the charges, Dasuki, Salisu and Senior Special Assistant, Domestic Affairs to Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamowei Dudafa, released N10bn to the PDP to bribe presidential primary delegates.
N2.1bn was also paid into the account of DAAR Investment and Holding Company Limited, controlled by one Raymond Dokpesi for the funding of media propaganda for Jonathan against opposition.
The sum of N1.45bn was also paid to Acacia Holdings Limited, controlled by Baba-Kusa, for 'prayers'.
Again, the sum of N750m was allegedly paid to Reliance Referral Hospital Limited in favour of Baba-Kusa for prayers.
Belsha Nigeria Limited, controlled by Bello Matanwalle, was also said to have received N380m to support some members of the House of Reps for their re-election campaign.
General Hydrocarbons Ltd controlled by Thisday publisher, Nduka Obaigbena was also said to have received N670m for “energy consulting”. And several other funny names to move Nigeria's money.
EFCC affidavit read in part, “That the charges being alleged against the defendant/applicant (Dasuki) border on economic sabotage that strikes at the very foundation of Nigeria well-being and existence.
“That it is in the interest of justice to put the applicant in protective custody so as to shield him from a possible attack by the relatives of the innocent soldiers, who lost their lives due to lack of adequate equipment; innocent soldiers who lost their lives due to lack of adequate facilities caused by the diversion of the funds meant for that purpose.
“Apart from the cases that are pending against the applicant, he’s also being investigated in respect of other criminal allegations.”
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