Armsgate: Bafarawa, son lose bid to separate from Dasuki’s trial

An FCT High Court in Maitama has struck out an application to separate the trial of former governor of Sokoto state, Attahiru Bafarawa, his son, Sagir and his company from the joint fraud trial involving former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

Bafarawa, his son and company, Dalhatu Investment Limited alongside Dasuki and a former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda are standing trial on a 22-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and fraudulent diversion of public fund amounting to N19.4 billion.

The trio argued that the joint trial has been oppressive because the case is not moving since their first arraignment in 2015, as Dasuki had been absent several times, which has stalled the trial. They said they observed that even the prosecution is helpless in the situation.

They added that the application is predicated on Section 36 of the Constitution that provides that a defendant is entitled to fair hearing within reasonable time, adding that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) guarantees speedy trial.

However, in his ruling yesterday, the trial judge, Justice Husseini BabaYusuf held that the application has already been overtaken by event, since Dasuki was present in court yesterday and it would be pre-emptive to suggest that he would further miss his trial.

The judge thereafter, at the request of the prosecution counsel, adjourned the matter to Dec. 6 and 7 for definite trial. He said if any decision is made by the Supreme Court on January 25, 2018, the court would be duty bound to abide by such decisions, but that the trial would not be put on hold pending the decision of the apex court, as demanded by Dasuki’s counsel.