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The trial of the immediate past National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo Dasuki is set to continue on Monday at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Justice Adeniyi Ademola had fixed Monday for continuation of hearing after the prosecution counsel added a fresh charge of money laundering to the one on arms possession for which he was initially charged.
Also, at the last hearing, the Nigerian government sought a court decision to allow witnesses presented by the prosecution to wear face mask.
The request was opposed by the defence counsel led by Joseph Daudu who argued that a democratic government needs not conduct secret trials.
However, Mr. Daudu also asked the court to release the travel documents of the accused so that he could travel abroad for medical check-up.
According to him, Mr. Dasuki was billed to travel a day after his arrest for medical treatment; but the arrest and trial had so far prevented him from doing so.
M. S. Labaran, who appeared for the prosecution, requested an adjournment to be able to react to the motion for the release of Mr. Dasuki’s travel documents.
However, PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the Nigerian government will oppose the request and has perfected plans to stop Mr. Dasuki’s efforts to seek medical treatment abroad.
A source familiar with the matter said the government has already gotten a written commitment from the National Hospital in Abuja saying the Hospital has the capacity to treat Mr. Dasuki on the ailment he is claiming he has.
“However how the Doctors arrive at that conclusion is surprising because they have not been able to diagnose him to arrive at their conclusions.
“He was never a patient at the Hospital and they don’t have his medical history,” the source said.
The spokesperson of National Hospital, Tayo Hastrup, said he would respond to a PREMIUM TIMES enquiry on the matter on Monday.
Mr. Dasuki was arrested in August by the State Security Services, shortly after he was removed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
On September 1, the prosecution counsel, Mohammed Diri, told the court that Mr. Dasuki was charged with the unlawful possession of firearms without a licence. The former NSA pleaded not guilty.
The judge granted Mr. Dasuki bail on self-recognition but ordered that his passport and other travel documents be deposited with the deputy court registrar while the case was adjourned to October 26 and 27 for definite hearing.
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