Updated: Dasuki, former Security Adviser, regains freedom after 4 years in detention

Sambo Dasuki, the National Security Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, regained his freedom late Tuesday after four years he custody of the Department of State Security.

His freedom followed an order by the Nigerian government for his release and that of Omoyele Sowore, the convener of #RevolutionNow protest,, who has been in detention since August this year.

The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari detained Dasuki 2015 on the allegation that he diverted funds from the security votes to the former ruling party, the People’s Democratic Party, and since then remained in the custody of the spy Police.

Several courts have ordered his release, which the government ignored, until Tuesday’s surprise announcement.

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DSS had ignored several court orders to release Dasuki since 2015, including the latest by the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on July 10, 2020 after reviewing his bail conditions.

Similarly, DSS controversially re-arrested Sowore few hours after his release on bail earlier this month by a Federal High Court in Abuja which barred him from addressing any rally pending the conclusion of his trial on charges of treasonable felony among others.

Malami had directed that, “the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation has reviewed the pending criminal charges against the duo of Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) and Omoyele Sowore. Whilst the Federal High Court has exercised its discretion in granting bail to the Defendants in respect of the charges against them, I am also not unmindful of the right of the Complainant/Prosecution to appeal or further challenge the grant of bail by the court having regards to extant legal provisions, particularly Section 169 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. However, my Office has chosen to comply with the court orders while considering the pursuit of its rights of appeal and/or review of the order relating to the bail as granted or varied by the courts.

“In line with the provisions of Sections 150(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and in compliance with the bail granted to Col. Sambo Dasuki (Rtd) (as recently varied by the Court of Appeal) and the bail granted to Omoyele Sowore, I have directed the State Security Services to comply with the order granting bail to the Defendants and effect their release.

“The two Defendants are enjoined to observe the terms of their bail and refrain from engaging in any act that is inimical to public peace and national security as well as their ongoing trial which will run its course in accordance with the laws of the land”.

Anthony Nlebem

Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.