31st October, 2016
Embattled former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd), on Sunday said he would like former President Goodluck Jonathan to be his witness in his ongoing trial for allegedly misappropriating $2.2bn arms funds.
Dasuki is currently facing charges for alleged misappropriation of $2.2bn arms funds meant for the military fighting insurgents in the North East.
Following his continued detention despite been granted bail by several Nigerian court and the Economic Community of West African State’s Court, ECOWAS, court, Jonathan recently claimed that his former NSA could not have stolen such amount of money.
Dr. Jonathan who faulted the charges against Dasuki had claimed that the ex-NSA could not have stolen about $2.2billion votes for arms. Speaking during a recent interview at the Oxford Union in the United Kingdom, Jonathan said, “We bought warships, we bought aircraft, we bought lots of weapons for the army.”
However, counsel to the embattled former NSA, Ahmed Raji, SAN, said Jonathan’s appearance as a witness in court will “throw more light into grey areas.”
Speaking to The Nation, Raji said, “It will be desirable for Jonathan to testify for the ex-NSA. It will throw greater light into grey areas. And it will serve the interest of Justice.
“It will be fantastic for him to go to court to testify. Dasuki is an agent of a disclosed and known principal.”
Advocating for political solutions rather than a trial due to the “characters involved,” Raji said, “But, frankly speaking, I pray for a political solution to the problem because of the characters involved.
“Both the accused and the government should embrace a political solution to the problem.”
On if the former NSA is ready for political solution, the senior Advocate said “Why not? He is.
”I believe the President is very sincere. He wants to reorganize Nigeria and he deserves the support of all.
“With a political solution, Mr. President will be in good stead to overcome unnecessary distractions in order to succeed.
“I pray that everybody will key into his vision and the economic challenges facing the nation.”