Court decides Dasuki’s medical trip on Tuesday

Former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki will
know whether or not his traveling documents will be
released to him to travel abroad for medical treatment
on Tuesday.
Justice Adeniyi Ademola of Federal High Court in Abuja
fixed the date after hearing the submissions of Dasuki’s
Counsel, Mr Joseph Daudu and Mohammed Diri, the
prosecuting counsel
Dasuki is standing trial for alleged possession of
firearms and money laundering.
Daudu told the court that the application was pursuant
to Section 36 (b) of 1999 Constitution and Section 173
sub-sections (2) of the Criminal Justice Administration
Act.
He said the application seek for the release of his
client’s international passport to enable him travel for
medical treatment abroad.
The defence counsel also seek an order mandating the
Registrar of the court to release Dasuki’s passport.
Daudu argued that the issue before the court was
whether the court could release applicant’s passport to
enable him travel in search of medication for his
deteriorating health condition abroad.
He cited the case of James Ibori against the State where
he said that the Appeal Court ruled in favour of Ibori.
“My lord, the essence of the accused freedom is to
ensure that he attends his trial and so far the accused
has been attending his trial,” Daudu said.
He, therefore, urged the court to grant the request on
health grounds.
Diri, who opposed the application, said the type of
ailment which Dasuki seeks to travel abroad for
medication could be treated in National Hospital,
Abuja.
The prosecution argued that the accused had been
under investigation for money laundering by the
Department of State Services.
He said if the accused was allowed to travel abroad, he
would interfere with the ongoing investigation, adding
that Ibori’s case was different with Dasuki’s case.
Diri said Ibori was asked to produce sureties before he
was granted bail, but that Dasuki was granted bail on
self-recognition.
He, therefore, urged the court to refuse the application.
Justice Ademola adjourned the case till November 3 for
ruling on the application and the earlier application by
the prosecution seeking for secret trial of Dasuki.