Former Military Governor of Kaduna State, Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar
has said that the continued detention of former National Security Adviser
(NSA), Retired Col. Sambo Dasuki shows that anti-graft war by President
Muhammadu Buhari is too selective to destroy the opposition parties.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Col. Umar noted that it was over one year
since three law courts, including ECOWAS Court granted bail to Dasuki, but
the Federal Government refused to release him, citing “untenable excuse”
of grievous nature of his offence, even when the constitution is clear on
the issue.
The statement read, “Most fair minded Nigerians are no more impressed and
are indeed sceptical with the conduct of this government’s anti-corruption
war which appears to be aimed at the neutralization and destruction of the
opposition.
“It is over one year since three law courts, including ECOWAS Court
granted bail to Col. M.S. Dasuki. The Federal Government has however
refused to release him citing the untenable excuse of the grievous nature
of his offence. Our extant constitution is quite clear on this issue.
“The Federal Government does not have the power to determine which offence
is bailable or whether an accused person is deserving of bail. It should
therefore obey courts’ decisions and release Col. Dasuki without any
further delay. His unlawful detention, campaign of calumny and pretrial
publicity make it impossible for him to receive a fair trial.
“The only explanation one can find for Col. Dasuki’s lengthy detention
without trial is that he belongs to the wrong camp. He has also the
misfortune of having served as National Security Adviser to the much
vilified Nigerian President of Ijaw extraction.
“Colonel Dasuki’s fate is tied to that of his former principal President
Goodluck Jonathan; an honourable and patriotic Nigerian who conceded
defeat and congratulated the winner of the 2015 Presidential election Gen
Muhammadu Buhari even before INEC declared the final results, when he
could have held on tenaciously to power as is the norm in many Third World
Countries.
“This rare act of statesmanship which pulled the country back from the
precipice has been rewarded with utmost disrespect and derision by the APC
Federal Government, President Jonathan is the most maligned Nigerian
former Head of State. Col. Dasuki is paying dearly for his loyal service
to this patriot. All well-meaning Nigerians must speak out against his
unfair and unlawful treatment.
“We cannot afford to remain neutral in the face of this monumental
injustice. When one Nigerian is unlawfully detained all of us must have
the moral consciousness to feel psychologically incarcerated.
“The decision by the Federal Government of Nigeria to suspend the SGF Mr
David Babachir Lawal and the DG NIA Mr Ayodele Oke while they are being
investigated is a welcome development in its war against corruption.
“It is also remarkable and commendable that the Government has decided not
to detain the duo while they are being investigated. This is a welcome
departure from the prevailing anti democratic process by which accused
persons, particularly from the opposition camp, are unlawfully detained
pending the commencement of investigations, or refused bail granted by law
courts.
“There is national unanimity in support of the war against corruption
which is expected to be non-discriminatory and waged by a meticulous
adherence to the rule of law. For the war to be meaningful and
sustainable, it must be elevated beyond a President Buhari personal
struggle to a national one,” Umar stated.