$2b arms deal: DSS writes counsel to produce Dasuki

Col. Dasuki

After a five-day siege to his home without securing their subject, the Directorate of State Services (DSS) has written to the counsel of former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki to produce his client for interrogation.

It was learnt that the DSS wrote to Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN) at the weekend on why he should convince his client to appear for interrogation.

The DSS wants to question the ex-NSA, who allegedly refused to cooperate with the presidential panel probing the $2 billion aram purchase deal during his tenure.

But the ex-NSA claimed that he was never invited by the panel.

Dasuki, who remained under house arrest for five days, has, however, decided to return to court today to seek an order directing the DSS to vacate his home.

The DSS, according to investigation, wrote the letter to the lawyer after Dasuki refused to allow DSS operatives into his home to deliver a letter inviting him for interrogation.

The two parties have been communicating through aides and Dasuki’s househelp.

As at yesterday, DSS operatives were still at the entrance of the ex-NSA’s home

A source said: “The DSS wrote a letter on Saturday to Daudu (SAN) on why he should convince his client to meet with its director-general.

“I think the DSS is technically shifting the responsibility of producing Dasuki to the counsel. “It is unclear if the counsel will handover his client to the DSS and on what terms.

“But the challenge facing the DSS is a subsisting order of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which has granted leave to Dasuki to travel out for medical treatment in London.

“The security agency, however, said Dasuki is wanted in connection with a different case bordering on the investigation of the $2 billion arms deal.

“The court order has prevented the DSS from barging into Dasuki’s home.”

Meanwhile, Dasuki may return to court today for intervention to end the siege to his home.

He is also asking three other reliefs: an order directing the DSS from stopping him from travelling abroad; renewal of the three weeks’ allowed by the court to go for medical treatment and enforcement of his fundamental rights.

A close source in the legal team said: “We are going to court on Monday because the freedom of our client has been breached. He cannot even step out of his house; he cannot travel abroad for treatment. He is virtually under house arrest.

“You know it is absurd when you are made a prisoner in your own home. If Dasuki attempts to go out, he will be arrested by the DSS. And if the DSS operatives break into his home without any warrant from the court, it will amount to illegality.

“We got a letter from the DSS; we are also sending our response on Monday before 9am.