Yesterday, Federal Government, President Mohammadu Buhari said its actions against the embattled former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Mohammed Dasuki (retd) currently under house arrest was in the overall interest of the nation which supercedes individual interest.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami [SAN], yesterday spoke on the case during a media briefing and meeting with staff of the Federal Ministry of Justice, while assuming duty. He also urged Dasuki to present himself to full investigation in the overriding interest of the nation.
Meanwhile, the AGF said his ministry will carry out an audit of high profile cases so as to prosecute those found to have compromised investigation and prosecution of those cases.
President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the arrest of Dasuki, who had been under house arrest for about two weeks over the alleged misappropriation of billions of dollars meant for the procurement of arms to prosecute the war against terrorism.
The order for Dasuki’s arrest was also extended to other per- sons found culpable in the scam. The directive followed the release of an interim report by the 13-man presidential committee set up by Buhari to investigate the procurement of equipment for the Armed Forces and the Defence sector from 2007 to date.
Reacting to the controversy over government action against Dasuki, the AGF said the former NSA is facing multiple issues that require further investigations.
“If you are granted bail in an- other case and another allegation is made against you on a different issue, there is the need for an investigation to be conducted on the fresh issue and you have to submit yourself to investigation in the interest of the nation which is supreme.
“Individual interest naturally gives way where the interest of the nation is involved. We have to look at the peculiarity of the issues involved here and allow investigation to be concluded as national interest overrides individual interest. It is not about flaunting and order of court in this case, the events are different.
Malami, who expressed the commitment of the Buhari administration to the strict application of Rule of Law, however, warned that those found wanting in fraud shall be prosecuted.
He called on his staff to strive towards excellence in the bid to bring about the desired change in the country which the administration is committed to.
On the issue of corruption and its effects on the social and economic life of the nation, he assured that the present government will fight the evils of corruption, poverty and insecurity like never before.
“Having embraced constitutional democracy and the Rule of Law, all our actions and every reform desired must be carried out within the confines of the law. As the Chief Law Officer of this nation, I am prepared to carry out my constitutional duties in this regard with all the enablement that God has given me. Therefore, the fight against corruption must be fought legally, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will and in line with inter- national best practice”, he said.
Malami, who charged staff of the ministry to be agent of change, said it will be in vain to advocate change where there is no law and order which can only be achieved where there is effective law enforcement and a transparent access to justice system.
He said his tenure will build on the legacies of his predecessors and would, however, be creative, innovative and as well encourage innovators and contributors of good ideals.
Dasuki has approached a Federal High Court in Abuja seek- ing enforcement of his rights
to dignity and security of his life. He is asking the court for a mandatory order compelling the Federal Government and its agents especially the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to vacate his house at 13, John Kadija Street, Asokoro, Abuja immediately.
He is also asking the court to stop the siege on his house and remove all impediments, human and non-human barricade and bulwarks said to have hindered the permission granted him since November 3 to travel abroad for medical check-up.
In a motion on notice filed pursuant to Section 36(5) 37 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution and sections 1(1) and (2) and 266 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, the ex-NSA also sought for an order of the court extending the order of November 3 permitting treatment of his ailment abroad.
The motion was premised on five grounds including the re- quest to enforce the three-week permission granted him by the court on November 3 to keep a re-rescheduled medical appointment with his physician abroad.
In the suit filed by his lawyer, Ahmed Raji (SAN), the applicant claimed that the Federal Government, acting through the DSS and other security agencies, have frustrated the said order by barricading his apartment since the permission was granted.
About The Author
