The trial of former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki in the alleged diversion of $2.1b arms funds is facing a fresh delay as the Federal government has filed 32-count amended charges against him and three others.
The filing of the amended charge is coming almost 3 years after he was first arraigned before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on 18 counts.
In the amended charges, names of top politicians from the opposition party are listed as beneficiaries of the alleged diversions.
However, a new twist was also introduced into the trial by government as a key defendant in the matter, Salisu Shuaib, who was a former Director of Finance and Supply in the ONSA under Colonel Dasuki, was dropped from the new charge.
The amended charge dated April 30, 2018 was signed by Mr. Chile Okoroma, Director of Legal Services of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
It was not clear why Shuaib’s name was dropped from the amended charge, regardless that he was also arraigned along with Dasuki in 2015.
Lead counsel to Dasuki, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), said he did not know the deal between Shuaib, the Federal government and the EFCC.
He, however, said that subsequent events in the trial will reveal more untold stories.
Apart from Dasuki, other defendants in the amended charge are Aminu Baba Kusa, Acacia Holding Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited.
Meanwhile, Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf of the FCT High Court is expected to take the fresh plea of four defendants on May 17, 2018.