I’m ready for trial to clear my name … Says Dasuki as he appears in court from his home

By Yemi Oyeyemi Abuja
Basking in the joy of coming from his own home rather than a Department of State Services (DSS) detention centre for his trial, former National Security Adviser (NSA) Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd) has appeared before a federal high court in Abuja to continue his trail after his refusal to come before the court since 2018.
Beaming with smiles in court, he said that he was now fully ready for trial in the criminal charges brought against him.
Specifically, the ex-NSA disclosed his preparedness to prove his innocence in the charges filed against him, and clear his name from the allegations.
Dasuki was arraigned in 2017 on amended seven count charges of unlawful possession of firearms and money-laundering before Justice  Ahmed Mohammed.
He is also standing trial in two separate charges  before Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf of a Federal Capital Territory high court (FCT) in Maitama.
In an open letter written to the court on November 14 2018, the former NSA had said he would stop submitting himself for trial because of the  deliberate refusal of the the Federal Government to comply with several court orders that  granted him bail.
However, in an unexpected move, the Department of State Services (DSS) released Dasuki on December 24, following the directive of the federal government.
At the resumed court session, Dasuki”s lawyer, Mr Olukayode Ariwoola, asked the court to strike out two applications pending before the court because his client has been released.
Dipo Opekpeseyi, SAN counsel to the federal government urged the court to fix a date for proper commencement of trial.
Justice Mohammed subsequently adjourned the case to March 11 and 12 for trial.