Detaining Dasuki Is In Public Interest – AGF
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN, has defended the continued siege on the home of the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), is in public interest.
Dasuki has been granted permission by the Federal High Court Abuja to travel on a medical trip to the United Kingdom but has been prevented from doing so by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS).
Malami at an interactive session with journalists and members of staff of the ministry and agencies under the Ministry of Justice, said the action of the government with respect to Dasuki’s case was in the public interest as the ex-NSA has refused to honour invitation to answer questions on arms procurement.
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Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court in Abuja where Dasuki is being prosecuted on four counts of money laundering and illegal possession of firearms had last Monday directed the AGF or his representative to appear before the court on November 23 to clarify the federal government’s position on the issues relating to the order granted the ex-NSA.
Malami said: “In some of these cases, some of these high profile culprits may be involved in multiple cases that might require investigation. If you are granted bail in respect of one issue, and the need arises for further investigation in other criminal offences, the law of the land requires investigation and you are bound as a good citizen of the country to submit yourself to investigation.
“The interest of the nation reigns supreme above an individual’s interest. So when the national interest is at stake and it has to be investigated, individual interest naturally gives way.
“It is not enough to conclude that the order was flouted. You have to look at the peculiarities of the prevailing cases on the ground. You can be granted bail with respect to one case and there can be other cases that public policy demands investigation.
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“It is only natural to allow investigations to be concluded having regard to the public interest that reigns supreme over and above individual interest.
“The point for consideration is whether the public interest is there as against the individual interest. But as it is, this government is going to uphold due compliance to the rule of law and sustain public interest and sustenance of its tenets.”
