Nigeria: DSS sues Sambo for illegal possession of firearms

The Department of State Services has charged the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) to court for alleged illegal possession of firearms.

The service, in a statement by a DSS official, Tony Opuiyo, on Monday in Abuja, said Dasuki was charged to court for owning firearms without licence.

The DSS had on July 16, 2015 carried out search operations on the ex-NSA’s residences in Asokoro, Abuja and Sokoto, where its operatives claimed to have recovered seven high calibre rifles including magazines and military gears at the houses located at 13, John Khadya Street, and 46, Nelson Mandela Street, both at Asokoro, Abuja, and 3 Sabon Birni Road, Gwiwa Area, Sokoto, Sokoto State.

The agency also recovered 12 new vehicles, including five bullet-proof cars from Dasuki’s house, the ownership of which could not be explained by the embattled former NSA, and which investigators believed must have been purchased with proceeds of corruption.

The DSS had claimed that it searched Dasuki’s homes “based on credible intelligence linking the imme­diate past NSA with alleged plans to com­mit treasonable felony against the Nigerian state.”

But in the Monday statement, the service said it charged him to court based on evidence so far obtained. The evidence relates to possession of firearms without licence, punishable under section 27(i)(a)(i) of the Firearms Act Cap F28 LFN 2004.

The statement partly read, “You may recall that on July 16, 2015, the Department of State Services carried out search operations on properties belonging to the immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (retd.), in Abuja and Sokoto.

“This action was necessitated by credible intelligence which linked him to acts capable of undermining national security. The search operations led to the recovery of large cache of arms and ammunition among other things and for which further investigation was conducted.

“​Consequently, on Monday 24, August, 2015, he was charged to court based on evidence so far obtained, but which relates to possession of firearms without licence punishable under section 27(i)(a)(i) of the Firearms Act Cap F28 LFN 2004.”

The service said Dasuki’s arraignment was in line with democratic practice and “our avowed commitment to the rule of law, in which nobody is deemed to be above the law, no matter how highly placed in the society.”

It added that the public would be duly informed as the matter progresses.

Meanwhile, the Service said it had recommitted itself to the fundamental role of providing adequate security for all Nigerians to enable them to pursue their legitimate aspirations and businesses.