Dasuki Seeks Intervention of Olanipekun, Falana, others in trial
Chukwuemeka Njoku, Abuja
Former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) on Wednesday halted his trial through an application filed by his lawyer, Adeola Adedipe requesting the Federal High Court Abuja, to invite some Senior Advocates of Nigeria to make informed opinion on issues raised in his ongoing trial.
Dasuki, who is standing trial on alleged illegal possession of firearms and money laundering, has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2015.Dasuki had on December 11, 2018 filed an application praying the court to adjourn the suit indefinitely just as he had questioned the competence of the lead prosecuting counsel in the matter, Oladipupo Opeseyi, SAN.Counsel to Dasuki, Adeola Adedipe, who moved the application, urged the court to step down hearing of the December 11, 2018 application pending the determination of the motion seeking the intervention of legal luminaries in the matter. Those listed as Amici Curiae include; Mr Oluwole Olanipekun (SAN), Former NBA President , Mr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), and Constitutional lawyer and Human Rights Activist, Prof. Koyinsola Ajayi (SAN).Others are Mr Onyeachi Ikpeazu (SAN), Mr Paul Usoro, NBA President and Mr Femi Falana (SAN).He said the application was predicated on the grounds that, an Amicus Curiae could be invited by the court at any stage of the proceedings.”The person is invited to make contributions on novel or legal conundrums which may have far reaching implications on either the society or practice of the law.”In an affidavit deposed to by one Dolapo Kehinde, the deponent submitted that the court had inherent powers to invite and or request contributions from the enumerated Amicus Curiae.He said this was so that they could give their views with respect to the issues raised for consideration in the said application.According to Kehinde it is in the overall interest of justice, sanctity of the bench, preservation of the constitution and sustenance of the rule of law, for the court to grant the application.He said the motion on notice touched on very sensitive constitutional issues on usual circumstances which would impact on both the authority of the bench and practice of the law in Nigeria.The deponent averred that the continued detention of the applicant was indicative of the fact that the complainant had no regard for the rule of law hence the need for the intervention of eminent lawyers in the matter.Earlier, Adedipe claimed that the issues submitted for consideration in Dasuki’s motion on notice of December 11, 2018 raised very serious and unusual situations.He said the issues raised have far reaching legal implications on the viability of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the Nigerian Criminal Jurisprudence, Rule of Law, and sanctity/authority of the bench and the practice of law.The trial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed has adjourned the matter to January 29.
