Dasuki, who did not name any person, said punishment being meted out to him was borne out of vendetta. However, it was clear he meant the president, who he arrested personally in the execution of the Babangida coup that overthrew Buhari’s military dictatorship.
Speaking through his lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), Dasuki told the court: “It is clear that the defendant (Dasuki) is being punished by the powers that be for the perceived offences committed long before. We leave them to the Almighty God for his ultimate judgment.”
Dasuki had been arraigned before three different high courts on various allegations and was granted bail but he was rearrested in December by agents of the Federal Government and has since been held incommunicado.
At the resumed trial yesterday, the Federal Government had approached the court, seeking secret trial of Dasuki, who is facing charges of unlawful possession of firearms, money laundering and breach of trust. The prosecuting counsel, Dipo Okpeseyi (SAN), asked the court to allow witnesses give evidence in camera. He premised his request on the fact that Dasuki, as a former top security chief, has large loyalists across the country that may jeopardise the trial if done in the open.
Okpeseyi cited the case of prosecution witness who was involved in an accident, stating, however, that as much as he would not say Dasuki had a hand in it, such underlined the need to have witnesses protected by the court.
Counsel to Dasuki, Joseph Daudu (SAN), strongly opposed the request for secret trial, saying that it would breach the principle of fair trial.
Justice Ademola fixed ruling and continuation of trial for September 13, 14 and 15 after taking argument from both parties
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