Court Orders FG to Conclude Decade-Long Trial of Ex-NSA Dasuki by September

The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a stern directive to the Federal Government, setting September 24, 25, and 26, 2025, as the final deadline to conclude the prosecution of former National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki, in a case that has dragged on for ten years. 

Justice Peter Lifu ordered the government to present any remaining witnesses and tender all exhibits to wrap up the trial, which centers on allegations of unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering.

Dasuki, who served as NSA under former President Goodluck Jonathan, was first arraigned in 2015 on a seven-count amended charge. 

 The prolonged trial has drawn criticism for its slow pace, with many questioning the efficiency of Nigeria’s judicial system. 

At the most recent hearing, prosecution witness Monsur Mohammed, an exhibits keeper with the Department of State Services (DSS), testified about items recovered from Dasuki’s residences in Abuja, Kaduna, and Sokoto following his arrest. 

From his Abuja home at 46 Nelson Mandela Street, Asokoro, authorities seized items including two GT Bank chequebooks, two Blackberry phones, a Nokia phone, a flash drive, an Apple laptop, a Visa card, $500, 533 Saudi Riyal, and documents linked to Afri-Media Integrated Ltd and Habibson Ltd. 

These were admitted as Exhibits MSD 015 to 034 without objection from Dasuki’s lawyer, Ahmed Usman.

Additionally, Mohammed claimed $150,000 was recovered from Dasuki’s Sabo Birni residence in Sokoto State and deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria. 

The prosecution, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Oladipupo Okpeseyi, requested an adjournment to present the cash and other items as evidence, a move Justice Lifu granted but with a firm warning to close the case by September. 

No items were found at Dasuki’s Sultan Abubakar Road residence in Sokoto.Justice Lifu directed the government to finalize its case, after which Dasuki is expected to open his defense. 

The case, initiated under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has been a focal point of controversy, with allegations that it was politically motivated. 

 The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a stern directive to the Federal Government, setting September 24, 25, and 26, 2025, as the final deadline to conclude the prosecution of former National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki, in a case that has dragged on for ten years. Justice Peter Lifu ordered the government to present any remaining witnesses and tender all exhibits to wrap up the trial, which centers on allegations of unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering.Dasuki, who served as NSA under former President Goodluck Jonathan, was first arraigned in 2015 on a seven-count amended charge.  The prolonged trial has drawn criticism for its slow pace, with many questioning the efficiency of Nigeria’s judicial system. At the most recent hearing, prosecution witness Monsur Mohammed, an exhibits keeper with the Department of State Services (DSS), testified about items recovered from Dasuki’s residences in Abuja, Kaduna, and Sokoto following his arrest. From his Abuja home at 46 Nelson Mandela Street, Asokoro, authorities seized items including two GT Bank chequebooks, two Blackberry phones, a Nokia phone, a flash drive, an Apple laptop, a Visa card, $500, 533 Saudi Riyal, and documents linked to Afri-Media Integrated Ltd and Habibson Ltd. These were admitted as Exhibits MSD 015 to 034 without objection from Dasuki’s lawyer, Ahmed Usman.Additionally, Mohammed claimed $150,000 was recovered from Dasuki’s Sabo Birni residence in Sokoto State and deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria. The prosecution, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Oladipupo Okpeseyi, requested an adjournment to present the cash and other items as evidence, a move Justice Lifu granted but with a firm warning to close the case by September. No items were found at Dasuki’s Sultan Abubakar Road residence in Sokoto.Justice Lifu directed the government to finalize its case, after which Dasuki is expected to open his defense. The case, initiated under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has been a focal point of controversy, with allegations that it was politically motivated.