Ex-NSA Dasuki, Former NNPC GM to Be Re-Arraigned Over Alleged N33.2bn Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to re-arraign former National Security Adviser (NSA) Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd.) and former Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) General Manager Aminu Baba-Kusa, along with two companies—Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited—before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) today.
The re-arraignment follows the reassignment of the case by FCT Chief Judge, Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf, who previously presided over the matter before his elevation. The case has now been transferred to Justice Charles Agbaza, requiring proceedings to start afresh.
Dasuki, who served under former President Goodluck Jonathan, and his co-defendants were initially arraigned on December 14, 2015, before Justice Baba-Yusuf on a 19-count charge of money laundering and criminal breach of trust involving N13.5 billion.
The prosecution later amended the charges, dropping one defendant, Shuaibu Salisu, and re-arraigned the others on May 11, 2018, on an expanded 32-count charge related to the alleged misappropriation of N33.2 billion meant for arms procurement to combat Boko Haram.
Despite years of legal proceedings, the trial stalled, with the prosecution presenting only one witness before the case was indefinitely adjourned. Delays were further compounded by Dasuki’s prolonged detention by the Department of State Services (DSS), despite multiple court orders granting him bail.
The EFCC has also pursued a separate case against Dasuki, involving former Minister of State for Finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, and ex-Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, among others, over an alleged N19.4 billion fraud. That case is ongoing before Justice Yusuf Halilu.
Today’s re-arraignment follows growing calls for the case to be reassigned, as Justice Baba-Yusuf’s expanded responsibilities as Chief Judge required a redistribution of cases. The EFCC is expected to push for an expedited hearing.
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