The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd), and former General Manager of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Aminu Baba-Kusa, today before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The two men, along with two companies — Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited — are facing serious charges related to a ₦33.2 billion arms procurement scandal.
This fresh arraignment follows the recent transfer of the case to Justice Charles Agbaza of the FCT High Court, after Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf, the previous judge handling the case, was appointed the Chief Judge of the FCT. The case, which has been ongoing since 2015, will now be heard afresh under Justice Agbaza.
The case dates back to 2015 when Colonel Dasuki, who served as NSA under former President Goodluck Jonathan, and his co-defendants, including Aminu Baba-Kusa, were initially arraigned on December 14, 2015, before Justice Baba-Yusuf. The charges at the time included money laundering and breach of trust, with the accused allegedly misappropriating over ₦13.5 billion meant for arms procurement to combat the Boko Haram insurgency.
In May 2018, the charges were amended, increasing the amount in question to ₦33.2 billion. The new charges also included criminal breach of trust, dishonest release of funds, and the misappropriation of government funds intended for the procurement of arms.
Dasuki and his co-defendants — including the former Director of Finance and Administration at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Shuaibu Salisu — were accused of illegally diverting funds meant to purchase military hardware for the Nigerian Army. The prosecution’s case hinges on allegations that the accused used their positions to authorize the release of funds for non-existent arms deals.
The EFCC has already presented one witness — the investigating officer who initially looked into the arms scandal. However, due to delays and adjournments, the case has yet to move forward. The delay has been largely attributed to the inability of the Department of State Services (DSS) to release Colonel Dasuki on bail, despite orders from competent courts.
Aminu Baba-Kusa, who was a top official at the NNPC, is implicated in the arms procurement scandal alongside Dasuki. Baba-Kusa, like the other defendants, is accused of playing a key role in the misappropriation of the funds, allegedly channeling resources through the companies involved — Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited. These companies were reportedly used as fronts for the illicit financial transactions.
Acacia Holdings and Reliance Referral Hospital have been linked to suspicious financial activities, with the funds allegedly diverted to accounts controlled by the accused. The EFCC is investigating how these firms were able to secure large sums from the government under the pretext of arms deals and security contracts.
The legal battle has been mired in complications, with delays largely stemming from the refusal of the DSS to release Colonel Dasuki on bail, even after multiple court orders. This has contributed to significant delays in the judicial process. In the case against Dasuki and his co-defendants, the government has been under scrutiny for its handling of the case, especially considering that Dasuki was granted bail by various courts, but the DSS continued to hold him in custody for several years.
Dasuki’s continued detention has led to accusations of political interference and the politicization of the case. His detention, in particular, has been a source of controversy, with many questioning why a man who had been granted bail by courts was still being held in detention.
The case has also had political implications. Some critics argue that the charges against Dasuki and the others were politically motivated, intended to discredit the former NSA and his connections to the former administration. On the other hand, supporters of the EFCC argue that the prosecution is a necessary step in curbing corruption and ensuring accountability, particularly given the sensitive nature of the funds involved and the alleged impact on national security.
The decision to transfer the case to a new judge, Justice Charles Agbaza, was seen as an attempt to resolve the delays that had plagued the case for several years. Justice Baba-Yusuf, who had initially been handling the case, was appointed Chief Judge of the FCT, which necessitated the transfer of the case. The hope is that the new judge will bring a fresh perspective and ensure that the case progresses without further delays.
The EFCC has expressed confidence that the case will now move forward more efficiently. However, there are concerns that the case may still face further delays, particularly with the complexity of the charges and the political nature of the proceedings. The public is eager to see whether those accused of siphoning off billions in arms funds will be held accountable or if the case will become another example of a high-profile corruption trial that fizzles out due to legal hurdles.
The fresh arraignment is seen as an important step toward justice, and many Nigerians are closely watching the developments in the coming days. There are calls for the EFCC to prioritize the case and ensure that the defendants face a fair trial, with a clear commitment to addressing corruption and restoring trust in the government institutions meant to serve the people.
