The erstwhile National Security Adviser, NSA, to President Goodluck Jonathan, Col Sambo Dasuki, was yesterday, docked before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, over alleged possession of illegal firearms.
Former national security adviser of ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki (R), speaks with his lawyer Ahmed Raji, during his trial at the federal high court in Abuja, on September 1, 2015. Nigerian prosecutors on September 1, 2015 slapped a charge of unlawful possession of arms against Dasuki. Dasuki was arraigned on a "one-count charge of being in possession of firearms without licence," Prosecutor Mohammed Diri told the federal high court in Abuja. AFP PHOTO
Former national security adviser of ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki (R), speaks with his lawyer Ahmed Raji, during his trial at the federal high court in Abuja, on September 1, 2015. Nigerian prosecutors on September 1, 2015 slapped a charge of unlawful possession of arms against Dasuki. Dasuki was arraigned on a “one-count charge of being in possession of firearms without licence,” Prosecutor Mohammed Diri told the federal high court in Abuja. AFP PHOTO
The Federal Government, in a one-count charge by the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mr. Mohammed Diri, accused the former NSA of being in possession of a large cache of arms and ammunition.
It told the court that an investigative team of the Department of State Services, DSS, had on July 16, executed a duly signed search warrant at Dasuki’s residence in Abuja, where they discovered arms, live ammunition and two-bullet proof Range Rover vehicles.
Specifically, the charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/ 319/2015, read: “That you Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, on or about July 16, at your residence, 13 John Khadija Street, Asokoro, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, was found in possession of five Tavor Assault Rifles, 1 Macro Uzi with serial No 60244(Rifle), 20 magazines (ammunition), 1 packet of Ministry of Defence APG calibre gun, Luger No. 033375, small magazine containing 16 rounds of ammunition, and bigger magazine containing live rounds of ammunition.”
The DPP, who is prosecuting the case for government, maintained that Dasuki’s offence was punishable under Section 27(1)(a) of the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
According to him, “the suspect made voluntary statement under words of caution, which categorically point to illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
“The prosecution shall lead evidence to prove the guilt of the defendant based on credible and undisputed facts.”
Former national security adviser of ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki (R), speaks with his lawyer Ahmed Raji, during his trial at the federal high court in Abuja, on September 1, 2015. Nigerian prosecutors on September 1, 2015 slapped a charge of unlawful possession of arms against Dasuki. Dasuki was arraigned on a "one-count charge of being in possession of firearms without licence," Prosecutor Mohammed Diri told the federal high court in Abuja. AFP PHOTO
Former national security adviser of ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki (R), speaks with his lawyer Ahmed Raji, during his trial at the federal high court in Abuja, on September 1, 2015. Nigerian prosecutors on September 1, 2015 slapped a charge of unlawful possession of arms against Dasuki. Dasuki was arraigned on a “one-count charge of being in possession of firearms without licence,” Prosecutor Mohammed Diri told the federal high court in Abuja. AFP PHOTO
The Federal Government, in a one-count charge by the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mr. Mohammed Diri, accused the former NSA of being in possession of a large cache of arms and ammunition.
It told the court that an investigative team of the Department of State Services, DSS, had on July 16, executed a duly signed search warrant at Dasuki’s residence in Abuja, where they discovered arms, live ammunition and two-bullet proof Range Rover vehicles.
Specifically, the charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/ 319/2015, read: “That you Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, on or about July 16, at your residence, 13 John Khadija Street, Asokoro, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, was found in possession of five Tavor Assault Rifles, 1 Macro Uzi with serial No 60244(Rifle), 20 magazines (ammunition), 1 packet of Ministry of Defence APG calibre gun, Luger No. 033375, small magazine containing 16 rounds of ammunition, and bigger magazine containing live rounds of ammunition.”
The DPP, who is prosecuting the case for government, maintained that Dasuki’s offence was punishable under Section 27(1)(a) of the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
According to him, “the suspect made voluntary statement under words of caution, which categorically point to illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
“The prosecution shall lead evidence to prove the guilt of the defendant based on credible and undisputed facts.”
