EFCC Re-Arraigns Sambo Dasuki and Others Over Alleged N33.2 Billion Fraud
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned former National Security Adviser (NSA) retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki and three others on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, before an Abuja High Court. They are facing new charges over an alleged N33.2 billion fraud.
Dasuki, alongside Aminu Baba-Kusa, the former General Manager of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and two companies—Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited—are the accused in the new case. The case was reassigned to Justice Charles Agbaza after being previously handled by the FCT Chief Judge, Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf.
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Sambo Dasuki’s legal issues began in December 2015 when he was first arraigned on a 19-count charge of fraud. This was in connection to his role as NSA and allegations surrounding the misuse of funds intended for national security purposes. Dasuki faced charges of criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of government funds. Alongside him was Shuaibu Salisu, the former Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), who was later removed from the indictment when the charges were amended.
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Over time, the charges against Dasuki and his co-defendants grew in scope. By May 11, 2018, the case was restructured, and the number of charges increased to 32 counts. The new charges accused Dasuki, Aminu Baba-Kusa, and others of dishonest release of funds, criminal breach of trust, and receiving sums of money totaling N33.2 billion. This was connected to an alleged diversion of funds meant for national security, which were purportedly misused for personal gain or other unauthorized purposes.
Despite several changes and amendments to the charges, the prosecution’s case remains far from complete. So far, only one witness, an investigating officer, has testified. However, the case has been repeatedly adjourned, leaving many unanswered questions about the prosecution’s ability to bring the matter to a close.
In addition to this case, Dasuki is facing another set of charges in a separate case. In this case, he and several other individuals, including former Minister of State for Finance Bashir Yuguda and former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, are accused of misappropriating N19.4 billion in public funds. The case was transferred to Justice Yusuf Halilu, and it has similarly faced numerous delays.
The re-arraignment on March 25, 2025, marked a significant moment in the ongoing trial. Despite the serious nature of the charges, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all 32 counts. The prosecution, led by Oluwaleke Atolagbe, requested that the court set dates for the commencement of the trial. The defense counsel for the defendants, including A.A. Usman (representing Dasuki) and Richard Ibiye (representing Baba-Kusa and the companies), requested that the defendants be allowed to maintain their existing bail conditions. These requests were based on the defendants’ consistent record of attending court hearings.
The prosecution did not object to the request, and Justice Agbaza, presiding over the case, granted the request for the defendants to maintain their bail conditions. The court then adjourned the case until July 1, 2025, for the commencement of the trial.
This re-arraignment marks a new phase in a case that has faced numerous delays, adjournments, and legal hurdles. The reasons for these delays are varied, including the refusal of the Department of State Services (DSS) to release Dasuki on bail, which further complicated the case’s progress. Critics have raised concerns about the impact of these delays on the efficiency of the judicial process and the overall fight against corruption in the country.
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The EFCC’s efforts to prosecute Dasuki and others for alleged corruption, particularly concerning the diversion of funds meant for national security, have been viewed as a major test of the country’s anti-corruption campaign. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the country’s efforts to hold public officials accountable for their actions in office.
In addition, the legal wrangling surrounding this case, including the transfer of the case to different judges and the repeated adjournments, highlights the challenges faced by the Nigerian judicial system in handling high-profile corruption cases. The complexity of these cases, combined with the political and institutional pressures involved, has made it difficult to secure quick resolutions, raising questions about the effectiveness of the country’s legal system in tackling corruption at the highest levels.
The case against Sambo Dasuki has attracted significant public attention, both in Nigeria and internationally. As a former NSA during the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Dasuki’s role in the alleged misappropriation of funds has become a symbol of the broader issues of corruption and mismanagement that have plagued the country for years.
The alleged diversion of N33.2 billion and the involvement of high-profile individuals and companies further underscores the scale of the corruption that took place. The case has become a focal point for public debate about the state of Nigeria’s political and economic systems, as well as the extent to which powerful individuals and institutions can manipulate state resources for personal benefit.
Supporters of the current administration, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, argue that the case is a crucial step in holding corrupt individuals accountable and restoring public trust in government institutions. On the other hand, critics of the case have raised concerns about the political nature of the charges, suggesting that the prosecution of high-profile individuals like Dasuki is part of a broader political agenda aimed at weakening opposition forces.
Moreover, the involvement of key political figures such as Bashir Yuguda and Attahiru Bafarawa has added a layer of political complexity to the case. Both Yuguda and Bafarawa were once prominent figures in the opposition party, and their involvement in the case has fueled allegations of political persecution. Whether the case will be perceived as a genuine effort to fight corruption or as a political maneuver remains a subject of intense debate.
As the case proceeds, all eyes will be on the Nigerian judiciary and the EFCC to see how they handle the trial and whether they can secure a conviction. With the trial set to begin in July 2025, the legal and political landscape surrounding this case will continue to evolve, potentially influencing future corruption trials and the broader fight against corruption in Nigeria.
The public’s faith in the judicial system will be tested, as will the EFCC’s ability to successfully prosecute high-profile cases involving former government officials and powerful individuals. For now, the future of the case remains uncertain, but its significance cannot be overstated, as it will likely have lasting implications for Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts and political dynamics.
The case against Sambo Dasuki and others is more than just a legal proceeding; it represents a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against corruption. How it unfolds could set a precedent for future cases and shape the trajectory of the country’s efforts to clean up its political and economic systems.
Source: The Trent
