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NIGERIA-CORRUPTION-DEFENCE
Nigeria frees former top official accused of graft
ABUJA, Dec 25, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Nigeria’s former national defence
advisor, who was arrested in 2015 for allegedly stealing $2 billion, has been
freed from jail after several court rulings ordering his release, a security
official said Wednesday.
Sambo Dasuki spent four years in prison despite multiple court orders to
Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) domestic intelligence agency for
his release on bail.
Dasuki is accused of siphoning money earmarked for the fight against
Islamic militant group Boko Haram and allegedly using it to help bankroll
former president Goodluck Jonathan’s failed re-election campaign in 2015.
“He was released Tuesday night and has since reunited with his family in
Abuja,” a senior DSS officer told AFP.
“Remember Dasuki was granted bail by the court,” the source said, adding:
“He can travel out of the country to seek medical attention but with the
permission of the court since his case will have to continue.”
Nigeria’s intelligence agency has come under attack from critics for
ignoring court orders to release certain prominent prisoners.
On Tuesday, the DSS freed a prominent journalist and opposition activist
Omoyele Sowore who had been held since August despite court orders demanding
his release.
Sowore — a publisher of online news site Sahara Reporters — still faces
trial for treason and other crimes but was freed on bail under orders from
the attorney general.
BSS/AFP/RY/1605