Sambo Dasuki: battling for release of passport

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 that 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 for 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 for 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 that 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 Nov. 3 for ruling on the application and the earlier application by the prosecution seeking for secret trial of Dasuki.