Deadline - News Agency Of Nigeria

Lydia Beshel
Aug, Tue, 2025

Court gives FG September deadline to conclude 10-year trial of ex-NSA, Dasuki

Deadline

by Wandoo Sumbo
The Federal High Court, Abuja has given the Federal Government a September deadline to conclude prosecution of former National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Col. Sambo Dasuki over alleged unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering.

Justice Peter Lifu fixed Sept. 24, 25, and 26 for the Federal Government to call any remaining witnesses and tender all exhibits in support of the charges, which have been pending for a decade.

Dasuki, who was first arraigned in 2015 was facing a seven-count amended charge and was expected to open his defence once the prosecution closed its case.

At the last hearing, a prosecution witness, Monsur Mohammed, told the court that following Dasuki’s arrest, his residences in Abuja, Kaduna, and Sokoto were searched for arms and cash.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Mr Oladipupo Okpeseyi (SAN), the witness, an exhibits keeper with the Department of State Services (DSS), listed items recovered from Dasuki’s Abuja residence at 46, Nelson Mandela Street, Asokoro.

At Dasuki’s House at 46, Nelson Mandela Street, Asokoro, he listed two Compact Disc of Freedom Radio on Jokolo, two GT Bank Cheque books, two blackberries phones, Nokia phone, flash drive, Apple Laptop and statement of account as part of items found in the house.

Others were a Visa card, approval letter of a radio station granted to Afri-Media Integrated Ltd, one CD on arrest and execution of Mohammed Yusuf, 500 US Dollars and 533 Saudi Riyadh.

Also recovered were an HSBC account book and a Cheque book of Habibson Ltd of Abubakar Ibrahim.

The court admitted the items as Exhibits MSD 015 to 034 following no objection from Dasuki’s lawyer, Mr Ahmed Usman.

At Dasuki’s residence in Sabo Birni, Sokoto State, the exhibits keeper claimed that 150,000 dollars were recovered in the house and subsequently deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The prosecutor said he would ask the DSS to bring the cash to court to be tendered as exhibits.

At the Sultan Abubakar Road, Sokoto house, the witness told the court that no items were found.

At this stage, the federal government counsel applied for an adjournment to enable him bring before the court other items found in Dasuki’s house during the four search warrants executed in the houses.

Justice Lifu while granting the adjournment request directed the federal government to be ready to close its case against the defendant and for Dasuki to open his defence.

The judge subsequently adjourned the case until Sept. 24, 25 and 26.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Sadiya Hamza

Area councils’ road projects: Wike optimistic of meeting December deadline

Philip Daniel Yatai
Nov, Thu, 2024

Metro

Area councils’ road projects: Wike optimistic of meeting December deadline

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has expressed optimism that the ongoing roads projects across the six area councils of the FCT would be completed in December.

Wike stated this after he inspected some ongoing road projects in Abuja on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Wike had, in February 2024, inaugurated the construction of several road projects in satellite towns and rural communities across the six area councils of the territory.

The projects, meant to transform rural economies and improve the quality of rural dwellers, were expected to be completed in December.

Some of the projects inspected on Wednesday included the ongoing Dutse – Bwari road resurfacing and the upgrading of War College/Army Checkpoint Road and other ancillary roads in Ushafa, Bwari Area Council.

The minister also inspected the reconstruction of 25-kilometre Kwaita – Yebu and the 11km Yangoji – Sukuku – Eba road projects, in Kwali Area Council.

The minister, who said he didn’t want to be pessimistic, expressed confidence that the contractors would deliver the projects on agreed timelines.

“You know we had heavy rains this year, and we gave contractors December to complete the projects, but you can see the level of job they have done; quality job, and this is in rural areas.

“We are still working on the December deadline. I don’t want to say that the roads would not be completed. I don’t want to be pessimistic.

“I have seen the contractors, and they told me that they will complete the roads and hand them over to us in December; let us keep to it. I think there is no need to doubt them.

“In as much as we do our own part, I am sure they will also fulfil their own promise,” Wike said.

He expressed satisfaction with the pace of the projects inspected so far, adding that when completed, the roads would have a positive impact on benefiting. communities.

He promised to do everything possible to make sure that the contractors get paid.

“When you see contractors who are committed, you on your own part, as government, will also carry out your own obligation by making sure they are funded in order to complete the roads and make the people happy,” he said.

He explained that he decided to go round some of the projects to see things for himself and not be told stories.

He added that the expanse of land in rural communities, if properly harnessed, would address the problem of food security in the FCT.

On what is in store for other communities in the FCT, the minister pointed out that government was continuum, adding that the current administration would do all it can to reach many communities with life-impacting projects.

He assured that President Bola Tinubu-led administration would complete all projects embarked upon, while the next administration would continue from the administration stops.

“We cannot solve all problems. Even if you are in office for 20 years, there will still be problems, but what is important is that people can see that you are making efforts to reduce their burden.

“That is what is important.

“So, like I said before, all areas in Abuja, be it in the city, be it in satellite towns, will all feel the impact of this government,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru