A former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, has arrived a Federal High Court to testify as a defence witness in the ongoing trial of former spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh.
Mr. Dasuki’s appearance followed an order of the Federal High Court for a subpoena to be issued on him, through the directorate of the State Security Service, SSS.
Mr. Dasuki has been in the custody of the SSS for almost two years despite multiple court orders for his release. He is being prosecuted separately for alleged mismanagement of funds while in office.
The Federal High Court’s directive for the SSS to present him in court was also in obedience to a September 29 directive of the Appeal Court.
While in court however, Dasuki’s counsel, Ahmed Raji (SAN), opposed his testifying today due to loss of memory following his two years of incarceration.
He said the evidence to be given is only a small aspect of his tenure as NSA, adding that he does not have “access to relevant files, records and documents required to refresh his memory of any decisions or actions he took or authorised in the course of his duties.”
Raji asked Justice Okon Abang to “tarry a while” in proceeding in the matter pending the determination of the appeal before the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
Metuh’s counsel, Emeka Etiaba (SAN), agreed with Raji that the former NSA needed additional time to access his documents to be able to testify in all the courts he is facing charges.