The long-running trial of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), on charges of unlawful firearms possession once again hit a brick wall on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The case, which has dragged for a decade, was stalled after one of the prosecution’s key witnesses failed to appear in court.
At the resumed hearing, the first prosecution witness, Monsur Mohammed, a Department of State Services (DSS) operative, was briefly cross-examined by Dasuki’s lawyer, A.A. Usman.
Following this, presiding judge, Justice Peter Lifu, directed the government’s legal team led by Chief Oladipupo Okpeseyi (SAN) to present its next witness.
Okpeseyi informed the court that the witness was unavailable, requesting a stand-down to reach him.
But after an hour’s wait, he returned to say the witness could not attend as his mother was undergoing surgery in Abuja, prompting a formal application for adjournment.
Justice Lifu, who had earlier ordered that the federal government must conclude the trial this September, expressed displeasure but shifted proceedings to September 25.
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He ordered the prosecution to “put its house in order” and ensure all witnesses are produced.
During cross-examination, Mohammed, who described himself as a storekeeper with the DSS, admitted to handling arms in his 18 years of service but confirmed he had no special license to do so.
Dasuki has been facing trial since 2015 under the Buhari administration on a seven-count amended charge bordering on unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering.
The judge had previously set September 24–26 for the government to wrap up its case, after which the former NSA is expected to open his defence.