A former National Security Adviser, NSA, during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki has cleared the air over alleged involvement in toppling the regime of the then Nigeria’s Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari in 1983.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that until his release from the Department of the State Security Services, SSS custody on Tuesday, the former NSA had been behind bars since 2015, shortly after Mr Buhari assumed power, for allegedly diverting funds meant for tackling the insurgency.
The five years of detention, this newspaper gathered, was widely understood to be an act of vengeance by the President for his involvement in a coup that toppled Mr Buhari’s regime in 1983.
However, in an interview with Voice of America, VOA, Hausa Service, hours after his release from the custody of the SSS on Tuesday, Mr Dasuki dismissed the insinuation, saying that he had an “unflinching belief” that his detention by President Buhari was the will of God.
Mr Dasuki added that “whatever happens to mankind is from God”.
Asked if he bears grudges against Mr Buhari, the former NSA said, “I don’t bear grudges with anybody. In fact, I am too big to hold grudges against anybody.”
The former NSA also stated that he was willing to continue going to court to tender his pieces of evidence against the charges labelled against him.
Mr Dasuki explained that the federal government’s refusal to obey various court orders on his release was the reason he stopped attending court proceedings while in detention.
“I was ready to continue to go to court even at that time. I only stopped attending the court proceedings because the government refused to obey court orders over my release from detention. That was why I said I would stop going to the court until I am released. Now, I am ready to continue,” said Mr Dasuki.
He also stated that he is in a sound health condition, expressing delight for meeting his family and friends in good condition too.
On Tuesday, this newspaper had reported how Mr Buhari ordered the release of Mr Dasuki and the convener of the RevolutionNow Movement, Omoyele Sowore from the custody of the SSS.
The Presidential order was contained in a statement issued by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami.
According to the statement, Mr Malami said the decision was in compliance with the bail granted to the duo by the courts.
“The two defendants are enjoined to observe the terms of their bail and refrain from engaging in any act that is inimical to public peace and national security as well as their ongoing trial which will run its course in accordance with the laws of the land.
“In line with the provisions of Sections 150(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and in compliance with the bail granted to Col. Sambo Dasuki (Rtd) (as recently varied by the Court of Appeal) and the bail granted to Omoyele Sowore, I have directed the State Security Services to comply with the order granting bail to the Defendants and effect their release.
“I wish to reiterate again the utmost regard of my Office for the entire judicial structure of Nigeria. This administration remains unrelenting in deepening the rule of law and the administration of justice in general,” the statement noted in part.
