Citizens Initiatives for Security Awareness, CISA, has demanded for the immediate release from detention the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo Dasuki after two solid years in incarceration.
In a press briefing in Abuja, the Director of Mobilization of the group, Ewache Ajefu, noted with grave concern, the continuous illegal detention of the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.
According to the group, Friday, December 29, 2017 will make it exactly two years that he was re-arrested and detained on the orders of the Federal Government and has remained in incarceration since then.
“The reason adduced for his arrest and detention was that he misappropriated funds while in office as the National Security Adviser; he was also accused of illegal possession of firearms, 24 hours after leaving office.
“As a foremost civil society group that has always stood behind and canvassed public support for the Nigerian government and its military in their fight against terror (even when it was fashionable for some disgruntled politicians to ridicule those efforts), CISA would like to strongly counsel the government against further detention of the erstwhile NSA,” the group advised.
Without prejudice to the case in court or the charges against him, the group however recalled some of the bold initiatives and success stories recorded during Dasuki’s tenure as the NSA.
“These, among others include, the formation of Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) which helped to muster the support of neighboring countries in the war on terror; the launching of the National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) as the Soft Approach to counter violent extremism.
“These bold initiatives, which have been sustained till date, are geared towards knowing the root causes of terrorism, understanding the problem of terrorism and finding appropriate and lasting solution.
CISA further said: “Yes, those charges against him are infractions of the law and we are not holding brief for him if he is found guilty but none of them are unbailable treasonable offences that should warrant the flagrant flouting of over four court orders to release him on bail.
“It is essential to also point out that, against ill-informed insinuations the allegation of misappropriation by his office, not all funds in ONSA were meant for arms procurement.
“Under Special Service Office (SSO), funds were released for capacity building, intelligence gathering, strategic communication and special interventions through Non-Governmental Organizations among others.
“It is therefore the contention of CISA that since the offences for which he is detained and has suffered these humiliations do not border on treason, Mr Dasuki should be given the opportunity to state his own side of the story in the court of law, so that if he is eventually found guilty, let the law properly take its course.
“We believe that it is no longer tenable to keep him behind bars ad infinitum on the whims of whoever is keeping him.
“He is entering the third year in detention, and unless it is the plan of President Buhari to keep him out of circulation for the entire period of his four-year term, we of CISA, demand his immediate release and urge men and women of goodwill to join us in making this fair demand. Thank you and God bless you,” the group noted.
