There were strong indications yesterday that the Department of State Service (DSS) may put the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, on trial this week for alleged treasonable felony.
But the ex-NSA and his father, deposed Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki, may also head for court tomorrow to challenge the invasion of their homes and seizure of Dasuki’s passport.
It was also learnt that Mr. Gordon Obuah, the erstwhile Chief Security Officer (CSO) to former President Goodluck Jonathan, is under investigation for allegedly visiting the brother of the leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta(MEND) in Kuje Prison.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the search warrant obtained from a Senior Magistrate’s Court in Abuja against Dasuki was issued in line with sections 74, 75 and 76 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
It was learnt that the DSS withdrew its operatives from Dasuki’s residence at 13, John Kadiya Street in Asokoro District, Abuja, pending the resumption of the court from the Sallah break.
The DSS, in a statement on Saturday, accused the former NSA of alleged treasonable felony.
A highly-placed source said: “Barring last-minute change of mind, the ex-NSA is expected to be arraigned any time this week for alleged treasonable felony.
“He had been cautioned by the DSS operatives who searched his home. We also recovered some incriminating documents from his residence.
“When charges are preferred against the ex-NSA, Nigerians will have the details.”
But the former NSA and his father, the deposed Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, plan to head for court tomorrow over the invasion of their homes.
It was learnt that the ailing former Sultan, who is recuperating in a London hospital, felt devastated that his residence could be invaded after working for President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory.
A top aide of the ex-NSA said: “Oga and his father have assembled a crack legal team to go to court because of the procedural errors in conducting the search. Also, going by a judgment of the Supreme Court, no agency is allowed to seize any Nigerian’s passport again.
“The legal team also cited an authority by a legal expert, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, on the execution of search warrants.
The expert treatise reads in part: “The authority to issue a search warrant is vested in a Judge or Magistrate under Section 107 of the Criminal Procedure Act and Section 74, 75 and 76 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
“The valid execution of a search warrant is anchored on Section 78 of the Criminal Procedure Code which expressly states that a search warrant should be executed in the presence of two (2) respectable inhabitants in the neighbourhood to be summoned by the person to whom the warrant is addressed.”
On Obuah, a source said: “Apart from abuse of office, I think they are investigating Obuah for alleged security breach. It was alleged that Obuah visited Charles Okah with a top aide on amnesty initiative with a draft endorsement of Jonathan for second term by MEND.
“They alleged that the statement was to be sent to MEND to be released to the public to boost Jonathan’s support base during the election.
“These emissaries were said to have promised Charles Okah freedom if he could reach out to MEND and convince the militant group to endorse Jonathan.
“But Obuah has denied any link with MEND or any subversive group. When he regains freedom, he will tell Nigerians his own story.”
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