Trial of Dasuki: Court Grants EFCC Three Days to Finalize Proceedings
Headline: Court Gives EFCC Three Days to Finalize Sambo Dasuki's Graft Trial
Breaking News: Justice Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has given the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) until July 9, 2025, to wrap up the 10-year-old corruption trial against former National Security Adviser, Mohammed Sambo Dasuki. This decision comes after a fresh start for the trial in Justice Lifu's court, where both EFCC's lawyer, Oladipupo Okpeseyi, and A. A. Usman, representing Dasuki, argued about the validity of a subpoena issued to the Department of State Service (DSS) in 2018.
The debate centered around the legitimacy of the subpoena, as it was addressed to the DSS as an unrecognized entity under the country's law. However, the EFCC's lawyer, Oladipupo, countered the objection, emphasizing that the DSS is a statutory organization and that there's been no confusion about its identity. He stated, "The Department has no confusion as to its identity...The witness did not exhibit any confusion as to his invitation by the Court."[4]
After careful consideration, Justice Lifu admitted the subpoena as an exhibit and postponed his final ruling to coincide with the main judgment. He also made note of the case's long-standing delay of nearly a decade, since it was first filed in 2015.
During the proceedings, the first prosecution witness and exhibit keeper from the DSS, Monsur Mohammed, presented various items found on Dasuki’s properties situated in Abuja, Sokoto, and beyond. These properties were searches conducted under four separate warrants, executed in July 2015, which resulted in the recovery of undisclosed items.[5]
Monsur's testimony concluded that nothing incriminating was discovered on Dasuki's properties. In light of these circumstances and the consent of all counsel, Justice Lifu adjourned the case to July 7, 8, and 9, 2025, for the EFCC to present its final arguments.[4]
Stay tuned for updates on this ongoing case, which dates back to allegations of fund misappropriation intended for combating the Boko Haram insurgency in 2015.
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- In a related development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is facing criticism in the political and general-news arena, as well as in crime-and-justice circles, for the delay in the Sambo Dasuki's graft trial, originally filed in 2015.
- As the election year of 2025 approaches, the ongoing Sambo Dasuki trial and the EFCC's handling of it is becoming a significant talking point in Naija's political landscape.
- The debate surrounding the Sambo Dasuki trial and the EFCC's use of subpoena to the Department of State Service (DSS) in 2018, which was recently reviewed by Justice Lifu, raises questions about the efficiency and fairness of Nigeria's justice system.
- The 10-year struggle to finalize the Sambo Dasuki corruption trial has cast a shadow over the credibility of the EFCC and its commitment to fighting crime and injustice in Naija.
- The Sambo Dasuki case, which initially stemmed from allegations of fund misappropriation meant for combating the Boko Haram insurgency in 2015, has become a case study in the lengthy and complex nature of corruption trials in Nigeria.
- The recent court ruling requiring the EFCC to finalize the Sambo Dasuki trial by July 9, 2025, has put added pressure on the agency, with fingers pointing towards the EFCC in the ongoing discussions about crime-and-justice and general-news in Naija.
- As the Sambo Dasuki trial nears its conclusion in 2025, the results have crucial implications for the integrity of the EFCC, the legal system, and the broader conversation about corruption and justice in Naija.
