Adeniyi Ademola, a judge of the Federal High Court
in Abuja, and one of those arrested by operatives of the State Security
Service, on Tuesday withdrew from presiding over the trial of former National
Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.
Mr. Ademola was arrested by the SSS on October, 7
after his house was ransacked following allegations of corruption.
The operatives said they found huge some of money
in local and foreign currencies at his residence during the raid.
Days after the raid, Mr. Ademola wrote the Chief
Justice of Nigeria, saying he was attacked unjustly.
He sited his previous rulings on Mr. Dasuki during
which he granted him bail. The SSS did not obey the order.
Mr. Ademola also mentioned his previous decisions
on a case involving a leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu,
as reasons for his arrest.
Mr. Ademola had presided over various cases on
Monday, before his latest decision to resign from Mr. Dasuki’s case.
He said the reason for his withdrawal is the
current allegations of corruption levelled against him.
“I am sure you are
conversant with what is going on the last seven days. One of the allegations
being made against me is that I received some money from Sambo Dasuki. This is
the allegation of the SSS.
“I thought I should tell
the counsel what is being said.”
“Before I announce my
decision, let me ask the defendant (Dasuki) some questions,” Mr. Ademola said.
He then began a series of questions and answers
between himself and Mr. Dasuki in an apparent effort to show his innocence.
Ademola: Do you know me at
all?
Dasuki: Before I came to
this court, not at all.
Ademola: Did you at any
time give me money?
Dasuki: Not that I am aware
of.
Ademola: Did you send your
lawyers to give me money?
Dasuki: Not at all.
Ademola: Did you give money
to any of my relatives?
Dasuki: Not at all, maybe
the SSS alleging that did,” Mr. Dasuki said
...premiumtimes
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