Court Rejects FG’s Bid to Re-Tender Evidence Against Dasuki

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday rejected a fresh attempt by the Federal Government to tender a set of exhibits against former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), in his ongoing trial over alleged money laundering and illegal possession of firearms.

Delivering a ruling, Justice Peter Lifu held that the exhibits, which had earlier been rejected and marked as inadmissible, could not be reintroduced, warning that such an attempt would amount to the court “sitting on appeal over its own decision.”

“I recall that on July 10, 2025, I delivered a considered ruling rejecting these same sets of exhibits due to improper foundation for their admission and lack of relevance to the charge,” the judge said.

“That ruling still subsists, and I am bound by it. Any attempt to go against the same ruling will amount to judicial rascality and pettiness.”

Justice Lifu described the prosecution’s renewed effort to tender the previously rejected documents as “an abuse of court process”, stressing that the Federal Government’s lawyers were effectively asking the trial court to review its own ruling.

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“Common sense does not even support granting this kind of request. This court rejects the invitation, and the application is hereby refused,” Justice Lifu declared.

The court’s decision followed a motion filed by the prosecution, led by Oladipupo Okpeseyi (SAN), seeking to tender what it described as “vital proof of evidence” against Dasuki.

FG’s Application and Defence’s Objection

The Federal Government, through its legal team, had urged the court to admit the recovered items and documents as evidence, insisting they were crucial to proving the case against the ex-NSA.

Okpeseyi also asked the court to move its sitting to the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja to inspect a vehicle allegedly recovered from Dasuki during a 2015 search.

“The vehicle, which was recovered from the defendant’s residence when a search warrant was executed, has been parked at the DSS premises for the past 10 years,” Okpeseyi told the court.

However, Dasuki’s counsel, A. A. Usman, strongly opposed the application, describing it as “baseless, ill-conceived, and a ploy to draw the hand of the clock backward.”

He reminded the court that the same set of exhibits had been tendered and rejected earlier in the proceedings.

“Since the exhibits were previously marked as rejected, the prosecution cannot tender them again. The only lawful option is to appeal the court’s ruling,” Usman argued.

Dasuki’s Trial Genesis

Dasuki, who served as National Security Adviser under President Goodluck Jonathan, is standing trial on a seven-count amended charge bordering on money laundering and illegal possession of firearms.

The Federal Government alleges that he was found with various firearms and large sums of foreign and local currencies without proper authorization.

According to the prosecution, Dasuki was allegedly in possession of:

• – Five Tavor assault rifles

• – One Macro Uzi rifle (serial no. 60244)

• – 20 magazines and ammunition

• – Luger pistol (no. 033375)

• – A packet of MOD APG calibre gun

He was also accused of retaining $40,000, N5 million, and another $20,000 in Abuja on July 17, 2015, and an additional $150,000 and N37.6 million at his residence in Sokoto State a day earlier.

The prosecution said the funds were proceeds of unlawful activity, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 and the Firearms Act Cap F28 LFN 2004.

Court Adjourns for Continuation of Trial

Following Tuesday’s ruling, Justice Lifu adjourned further hearing, affirming that the previous rulings on admissibility remain binding.

Dasuki, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, is also facing two separate money laundering cases before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) filed during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The case will resume for continuation of trial on a date to be communicated by the court’s registry.