The Federal High Court in Abuja has set a new deadline for the Federal Government to conclude the prosecution of former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, who has been facing charges of alleged unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering since 2015. Justice Peter Lifu fixed September 24, 25, and 26 for the government to call its remaining witnesses and tender all outstanding exhibits to prove its allegations against Dasuki.
The trial, which has been ongoing for over a decade, is expected to conclude soon. Dasuki’s lawyer, Ahmed Usman, did not object to the exhibits presented by the prosecution, which included items recovered from Dasuki’s residences in Abuja, Kaduna, and Sokoto. The court admitted these items as exhibits MSD 015 to 034. The prosecution witness, Monsur Mohammed, an exhibits keeper with the Department of State Services, testified that operatives searched Dasuki’s homes and recovered various items, including electronics, financial documents, and foreign currency.
The recovered items included two compact discs from Freedom Radio on Jokolo, two GT Bank chequebooks, two BlackBerry phones, a Nokia phone, a flash drive, an Apple laptop, and a statement of account. Additionally, $150,000 and ₦37.6 million were recovered from Dasuki’s Sabo Birni residence in Sokoto State and deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria. The prosecution stated it would request the DSS to bring the cash to court for tendering as exhibits.
Justice Lifu directed the Federal Government to be ready to close its case after presenting all its witnesses and evidence. Dasuki will then open his defense. The prosecution sought an adjournment to present additional items recovered during four separate searches of Dasuki’s properties, which was granted by the court.
The September hearing dates mark a pivotal phase in a trial emblematic of Nigeria’s broader efforts to address graft. The case has drawn attention for its prolonged timeline and ties to former President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign. Dasuki has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, and his defense team is expected to counter allegations when the trial resumes.
