TheCable

⁠⁠⁠Ahmed Raji (SAN), counsel to Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser (NSA), says he is not aware of the offer of the government to allow his client attend his father’s funeral. ‎

Ibrahim Dasuki, ex-sultan of Sokoto and father of Sambo, died on Monday in Abuja, but he was buried in Sokoto on Tuesday.

Dasuki, who has been in detention since December 1, 2015, did not attend his father’s funeral. Though the government said it gave him leave to attend the event.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, Raji said the government’s offer to Dasuki was doubtful because his lawyers were not contacted.

“As his counsel, we are not aware of that offer. Our client has not told us anything of that nature. We would have expected that if such a gesture was going to be made to him we as his counsel should have been involved so that we can advise him properly. As I am speaking to you, I am hearing of this for the first time,” he said.

“Dasuki has been granted three bails and one outright judgment for his release by the ECOWAS court which is binding in honour on Nigeria.”

He called on the government to release his client in compliance with several court orders granting him bail.

Meanwhile, the trial of the former NSA could not go on Wednesday owing to the “mood” occasioned by the demise of his father.

It was adjourned to December 7 at the instance of both the prosecution and defence counsel.

Dasuki is facing multiple counts of money laundering and misappropriation of funds brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).