The Federal Government on Monday arraigned the immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), on fresh money laundering charges involving about N84.6m.
The prosecution alleged in the fresh charges that sums of $20,000; $40,000 and $150,000 (totalling N42m at N200 to $1 exchange rate) as well as N5m and N37.6m were recovered during search operations at Dasuki’s residences in Abuja and Sokoto on July 16 and 17, 2015.
The fresh charges, comprising four counts, were in addition to an earlier one count of illegal possession of firearms against the ex-NSA.
Dasuki is now faced with four fresh counts of retention and concealment of funds, which are allegedly “part of proceeds of an unlawful act” contrary to sections 15(2) (a), (d) and (3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).
In counts one, two and five, sums of $40,000, N5m and $20,000 as well as illegally possessed firearms were said to have been recovered from Dasuki’s house at 13, John Khadiya Street, Asokoro, Abuja, on July 17, 2015.
In counts three and four, sums of $150,000 and N37.6m were allegedly recovered from the former NSA’s houses at Sultan Abubakar Road and Sabon Birni Road, Sokoto, on July 16, 2015.
The firearms said to have been recovered from Dasuki’s residence in Abuja during the search operation included five Tavor assault rifles; one Macro Uzi rifle with serial number 60244; 20 magazines (ammunition); one packet of Ministry of Defence APG calibre gun; and a Luger gun with number 033373.
Others were small magazine containing 16 rounds of ammunition; bigger magazine containing live rounds of ammunition; one magazine with 16 rounds of live 9mm ammunition and 36 rounds of live ammunition.
Some of the items were said to have been recovered from his Range Rover car with number plate ‘Abuja RBC 517 JN.’
The prosecution accused Dasuki of possessing the firearms without requisite licence, an act said to be contrary to provisions of section 27(1)(a)(i) of the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Dasuki was until Monday facing only one count of illegal possession of firearms, which were allegedly recovered from his house simultaneously with the sums of money.
But at the resumed hearing of the case on Monday, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Shuaibu Labaran, sought permission from the trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, to re-arraign the former NSA on the amended charges of five counts.
When the charges were read to the ex-NSA, he pleaded not guilty to the one count of illegal possession of firearms and the fresh four counts.
Justice Ademola subsequently granted him bail in the previous term of self-recognition and seizure of his passport.
The prosecution also on Monday argued its motion seeking an order for protection of its witnesses stopping the disclosure of the names and addresses of their witnesses.
However, defence counsel, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), described the application as frivolous and urged the court to dismiss it for lacking in merit.
Justice Ademola is to deliver his ruling on the application on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Dasuki has filed an application for temporary release of his travelling documents to enable him to travel abroad for check-up.
The prosecution indicated on Monday that it would oppose the application.
Justice Ademola gave the prosecution 24 hours to file their counter-affidavit and adjourned the case till Wednesday (tomorrow).
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The Federal Government on Monday arraigned the immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), on fresh money laundering charges involving about N84.6m.
The prosecution alleged in the fresh charges that sums of $20,000; $40,000 and $150,000 (totalling N42m at N200 to $1 exchange rate) as well as N5m and N37.6m were recovered during search operations at Dasuki’s residences in Abuja and Sokoto on July 16 and 17, 2015.
The fresh charges, comprising four counts, were in addition to an earlier one count of illegal possession of firearms against the ex-NSA.
Dasuki is now faced with four fresh counts of retention and concealment of funds, which are allegedly “part of proceeds of an unlawful act” contrary to sections 15(2) (a), (d) and (3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).
In counts one, two and five, sums of $40,000, N5m and $20,000 as well as illegally possessed firearms were said to have been recovered from Dasuki’s house at 13, John Khadiya Street, Asokoro, Abuja, on July 17, 2015.
In counts three and four, sums of $150,000 and N37.6m were allegedly recovered from the former NSA’s houses at Sultan Abubakar Road and Sabon Birni Road, Sokoto, on July 16, 2015.
The firearms said to have been recovered from Dasuki’s residence in Abuja during the search operation included five Tavor assault rifles; one Macro Uzi rifle with serial number 60244; 20 magazines (ammunition); one packet of Ministry of Defence APG calibre gun; and a Luger gun with number 033373.
Others were small magazine containing 16 rounds of ammunition; bigger magazine containing live rounds of ammunition; one magazine with 16 rounds of live 9mm ammunition and 36 rounds of live ammunition.
Some of the items were said to have been recovered from his Range Rover car with number plate ‘Abuja RBC 517 JN.’
The prosecution accused Dasuki of possessing the firearms without requisite licence, an act said to be contrary to provisions of section 27(1)(a)(i) of the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Dasuki was until Monday facing only one count of illegal possession of firearms, which were allegedly recovered from his house simultaneously with the sums of money.
But at the resumed hearing of the case on Monday, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Shuaibu Labaran, sought permission from the trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, to re-arraign the former NSA on the amended charges of five counts.
When the charges were read to the ex-NSA, he pleaded not guilty to the one count of illegal possession of firearms and the fresh four counts.
Justice Ademola subsequently granted him bail in the previous term of self-recognition and seizure of his passport.
The prosecution also on Monday argued its motion seeking an order for protection of its witnesses stopping the disclosure of the names and addresses of their witnesses.
However, defence counsel, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), described the application as frivolous and urged the court to dismiss it for lacking in merit.
Justice Ademola is to deliver his ruling on the application on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Dasuki has filed an application for temporary release of his travelling documents to enable him to travel abroad for check-up.
The prosecution indicated on Monday that it would oppose the application.
Justice Ademola gave the prosecution 24 hours to file their counter-affidavit and adjourned the case till Wednesday (tomorrow).
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