Ebattled
former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki has said he was only obeying
the directive of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the disbursement of
funds from his office.
According
to reports, Dasuki, who is standing trial for the alleged misappropriation
of $15bn arms procurement fund, said this to some of his associates who
recently visited him in detention.
"Based
on the service rules in the security circle, I owe it a duty to obey the
President and Commander-In-Chief. Ex-President Jonathan approved all the
expenses incurred by Office of the National Security Adviser ONSA. I am ready
to prove in court how we complied with the directive of the ex-President.”
Dasuki
according to his associates is protesting the continued detention and says he
is ready to go on trial.
“I
am ready for trial because they have destroyed my family’s name and my
professional integrity, especially how we successfully fought Boko Haram and
recovered major towns and cities, not villages. They should let my trial start
in earnest to enable Nigerians know the truth from falsehood. I don’t believe
in secret trial and there is no basis for it because the government has filed
all necessary papers in court and attached the list of witnesses. Since the
witnesses have become public knowledge, there is no basis for secret trial.
Since I was detained in the custody of the Department of State Service (DSS), I
have not been shown any warrant to this effect or court order. I deserve to be
shown the warrant of detention by DSS and the purpose for restricting me to
house arrest. My detention is unlawful. All those who collected funds from ONSA
have been granted bail but I am still in custody. I have been granted bail on
all the cases filed against me by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC), and even DSS, but I have not been released. If all the beneficiaries of
the so-called funds are on bail, what have I done wrong? Nigerians should help
prevail on the government to grant me bail. I cannot rock the boat. I am
prepared for trial. We did everything with national and security interest.”
The
EFCC had arraigned Dasuki, and two others on 19-count charge of
misappropriation of funds meant for purchase of arms before a Federal Capital
Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
Source: The Nation
0 comments:
Post a Comment