The Federal Government on Wednesday opened its case before a Federal High Court in Abuja in the trial of the immediate past National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, on charges of illegal possession of firearms and money laundering.

The prosecution first witness, Samuel Ogbu, who is  an operative with the Department of State Services, confirmed that Dasuki admitted keeping arms and ammunition in his private residence.

Ogbu, who was led in evidence by the lead prosecuting counsel, Mr. Dipo Okpeseyi (SAN),  said Dasuki failed to produce any licence authorising him to  keep the arms and ammunition recovered from his house as required by law.

He narrated how the team he worked with interviewed Dasuki and obtained statement from him in the comfort of his home on July 17, 2015.

He said a team of DSS investigators that searched the ex-NSA’s private home in Asokoro, Abuja recovered five Tavor rifles, one Lugar rifle, one micro Uzi rifle, various categories of ammunition and cash in both local and foreign currencies.

He said Dasuki admitted, in his statement, that the arms and ammunition were recovered in his house.

He said Dasuki admitted that the arms and ammunition belonged to the Office of the NSA and were for the use of his security detail.

He said Dasuki added that the items would be returned at the end of the day, but failed to say the day.

“On the said date, July 17, 2015, I joined other investigators, who went to the private residence of the defendant. On arrival, he was told why we are around. He took us into his house and made a special choice where we were to conduct the interview.

“We set up our recording equipment and the interview was recorded. We cautioned him, and told him the interview would be recorded and the whole process commenced.

“Once he accepted that he should be interviewed, I informed him there were three areas the interview would cover. They were the arms and ammunition recovered from his private residence; the cash recovered, foreign and local currencies and the vehicles recovered.

“He went through the list of the items as contained in the search want. We began with the arms and ammunition recovered. They were five Tavor rifles, one Lugar rifle, one Micro Uzi rifle and various categories of ammunitions,” Ogbu said.

The witness said his team of interviewers was dispatched to Dasuki’s house based on the report of the search team had submitted to the service.

He said Dasuki’s private residence and his guest house at No46 Mandela Street, Asokoro were searched by a team of investigators.

The witness said it was not to his knowledge that the weapon was ever issued to the defendant.  He added that Tavor rifle could not be issued to an individual that did not have the written permission of the DG, DSS.

Under cross-examination by Dasuki’s lawyer, Ahmed Raji (SAN), the witness said the evidence he gave about the allocation of arms and how they were issued were mainly as it related to the DSS.

He said he would not know if any other agency issued Dasuki licence to keep the arms and ammunition.

Earlier, the trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, had refused an application by Dasuki for stay of proceedings pending the determination of a motion he filed before the Court of Appeal, Abuja for that purpose.

The judge upheld the argument by Okpeseyi that by the provision of Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act stay of proceedings was not allowed in criminal trial.

The judge adjourned till Wednesday for further trial.

Click here to read from source.