The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been given three days in a row by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja to conclude the corruption case against Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, the former National Security Adviser, which has been ongoing for ten years. The judge gave the anti-graft agency July 7, 8, and 9 to wrap up the corruption case it began in 2015.
The decision was made by Justice Lifu after the trial was restarted in his court and EFCC counsel Oladipupo Okpeseyi and Dasuki’s attorney A. A. Usman argued over whether or not a subpoena sent on May 24, 2018, to the Department of State Service, DSS, to produce certain items discovered on Dasuki’s properties, was admissible.
When Dasuki’s lawyer contested the subpoena’s validity on the grounds that it was sent to the DSS, an organisation not recognised by national law, he started a legal battle.
However, the EFCC attorney rebutted the criticism, stating that DSS was established by statute and that the organization’s identity had never been confused. The Department of State Security was properly served with the document.
The identity of the Department is not unclear. “The witness showed no signs of confusion regarding the court’s invitation. The end of justice is not negated by the form objection.
In the interest of substantial justice, we respectfully ask the Court to reject the objection. Ultimately, Justice Lifu reserved his decision to be delivered with the primary charge and accepted the subpoena as an exhibit.
“I have meticulously and attentively listened to knowledgeable counsel regarding the admissibility of the document that the prosecution is attempting to tend. In connection with the name on the aforementioned subpoena, I have also read the document.
Relevance determines whether documentary evidence is admissible, which is governed by the law of evidence.
Given that the criminal case on the court’s docket is approximately ten years old and that the ACJA 2015 calls for the prompt administration of criminal justice, Justice Lifu stated that the document would be admitted and the ruling would be included in the court’s final decision.
The judge called the parties’ attention to the fact that, since it was filed in 2015, the case had been dragging on and delayed for ten years. On the basis of the subpoena, Monsur Mohammed, the first prosecution witness and exhibit keeper with the DSS, was allowed to testify during the proceedings.
Dasuki’s properties at 13 John Khadije Street, Asokoro, Abuja; 46 Nelson Mandela Street, Asokoro, Abuja; Sabon Birnin Road, Sokoto; and Sultan Abubakar Road, also in Sokoto, were the locations of several items he later displayed.
The undisclosed items were recovered as a result of four separate search warrants that were executed at the four properties in July 2015.
Ultimately, the DSS exhibit keeper acknowledged that no evidence of guilt was discovered on the properties.
Following the presentation of the evidence, Justice Lifu declared that, given the facts of the case and with the approval of all solicitors, “this suit is hereby adjourned to 7, 8, and 9 July 2025 at the instance of the Court for further hearing.” “On these adjourned dates, the learnt prosecutor is expected to close his case,” he continued.
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