The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has presented additional evidence in the ongoing trial of retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki and three other defendants at an Abuja High Court. Dasuki, a former National Security Adviser, is facing a 32-count charge related to criminal breach of trust and dishonest release of funds totaling N33.2 billion.

The charges against Dasuki and his co-defendants, including a former General Manager with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and two firms, Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited, were amended and read out to them on March 25. The EFCC alleged that Dasuki and others misappropriated security funds from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and released the equivalent of N10 billion in foreign currencies from the NSA’s account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the 2014 presidential primary election of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

During the trial, a detective with the EFCC, Adariku Michael, testified that the commission received an intelligence report on September 21, 2015, regarding abuse of office and money laundering. The report led to an investigation, which uncovered large sums of money transferred from the ONSA account to various companies between October 2014 and April 2015. The witness explained that the EFCC wrote to the CBN and other banks to obtain more information, and the responses were tendered as evidence.

The defense counsel for the defendants reserved their objections to the evidence presented. To facilitate a smooth trial, the parties agreed to review the documents before the proceedings. Justice Charles Agbaza adjourned the case until November 11 for continuation of the hearing.

The trial is a significant development in the ongoing efforts to address corruption and financial crimes in Nigeria. The case began in 2015, and the EFCC has been working to gather evidence and build a case against the defendants. As the trial progresses, it is expected to shed more light on the allegations of financial impropriety and abuse of office. The outcome of the case will be closely watched, as it has implications for the country’s anti-corruption efforts and the rule of law.