Former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), has described as unfortunate his conviction in the court of public opinion by the Federal Government “even before my trial”.
Dasuki, who appeared before the Federal High Court, Abuja on Friday, insisted that in all his dealings as NSA between 2012 and 2015, he was only answerable to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The former NSA has been in detention since 2015.
While insisting on the need for him to consult records to give meaningful and cogent evidence in the trial of former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, on alleged N400 million corruption charges brought against him by the government, Dasuki said that all transactions in his office followed due process.
He told the court that he did not commit any unlawful transaction with Metuh as NSA.
Dasuki, who entered as a witness for the second time at the instance of Metuh, told Justice Okon Abang that he would not be able to give evidence on documents that were not authenticated by his records.
Led in evidence by Metuh’s lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, Dasuki told the court that he never entered into any unlawful transaction with Metuh while he was in office.
He further said that as the NSA, he was in charge of collating security issues and reporting to the President as demanded by the law that established the Office of the NSA.
Answering a question, Dasuki said he had never being convicted by any court of law for whatever offence in his life.
He, however, regretted that the Federal Government, by its actions against his person, had convicted him in the court of public opinion even when his own side of the story had not been heard as demanded by the Constitution.
He said: “I have been maligned and convicted in the court of public opinion by my traducers against the usual judicial process through court trials.”
Under cross examination by counsel to the Economic and Finacial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, Dasuki maintained that he carried out the functions of the NSA diligently to the satisfaction of the nation and Jonathan who appointed him to the office.
He told the court that as the man in charge of national security, he was only answerable to the President on matters bordering on security issues generally.
However, attempt to be cross-examined on some documents was resisted by Dasuki on the ground that he could not certify on documents not authored or authenticated by his office.
Dasuki told the court on the need for him to be allowed to access his records and make necessary clarifications and consultations to be in good position to give cogent and verifiable evidence in the transaction that led to the filing of criminal charges against Metuh.
Earlier, Justice Abang had ruled that Dasuki is a willing and responsible witness who is ready to give evidence in the trial of Metuh and his company.
Justice Abang said: “Colonel Dasuki is composed and alert. He is not a difficult person but is willing to answer questions.”
Following an end of Dasuki’s evidences, Justice Abang then discharged the witness and adjourned trial till December.
