I can’t Answer any Question Relating to Official Transaction – Dasuki

The embattled former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) told the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court that until he consult his records, he would not be able to clarify whether the sum of N400m was paid to a former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, in 2014 and for what purpose. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had alleged in some of the seven counts preferred against Metuh and his company, Destra Investments Limited that the ex-PDP spokesperson fraudulently received the sum of N400m from ONSA without any justification and spent same on the party and personal affairs. At the resumed proceedings on Friday, Dasuki who was led in evidence in chief by Metuh’s counsel, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), was asked to explain what due process means. Dasuki in his response told the court that it is when ‎all laid down procedure have been duly observed. He said that the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, is a law abiding body and duly observe the procedure as laid down by the ONSA and any other Federal regulation Defence Counsel : Have you been charged and convicted for any unlawful act with respect of the first defendant (Metuh)? Dasuki: No, except in the court of public opinion Defence: Did you as NSA enter into an unlawful act or activity with the first defendant? Dasuki: Not to the best of my knowledge. No Defence Counsel: In this charge that you have come to testify, you have not been charged. Dasuki : That is correct. Defence: As the then NSA who is your immediate boss that you are answerable to? Dasuki: To the President Defence Counsel: Who was the president? Dasuki: President Gooluck Jonathan (2010-2015) However under cross examination by the Prosecution Counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, Dasuki said without recourse to his records which he had no access to while in the custody of the Department of State Services, he would not be able to confirm the payment of N400m to Metuh or the purpose it was meant for. He also said he could not remember if the ONSA under his watch had relations with Destra Investments Limited, the company, through which Metuh allegedly received the N400m from ONSA in 2014. When shown and asked to confirm the content of the e-payment mandate earlier tendered as exhibit in the case and on which his name and signature appeared, authorising the payment of N400m, Dasuki said, “My name has been typed out there.” Asked to read out the purpose of the payment as contained in the “e-payment mandate”, the ex-NSA said, ” the purpose of payment: payment for security services.” Then the prosecuting counsel, asked, “What services did the company, Destra Investments Limited, the second defendant render to entitle the company, the payment of N400m.” In response, Dasuki said, “If you want an answer, I still have to refer to my records. “It would be useful for the counsel to make himself familiar with the NSA Act.” The witness was also shown Exhibit D1, which was a letter from Diamond Bank in response to a request by EFCC. When asked to read the narrative in a document attached to the letter, Dasuki said, “I have seen in the document that was produced, exhibit D1, that there is an entry that purports that payment from ONSA in the sum of N400m into the account of Destra Investment Limited.” It was at this point, the prosecution told the court that he has finished with Dasuki. He was however discharged by the court. The trial judge Justice Okon Abang adjourned until December 4 to entertain the defence’s next subpoenaed witness, Goodluck Jonathan.