TVCE (ABUJA) -The embattled former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), has filed a fresh application to stop his trial for charges of alleged diversion of about $2.1bn, part of funds meant for procurement of arms, before Justice Baba Yusuf of a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
The judge, however, on Thursday, fixed Friday (today) for the commencement of trial of Dasuki and his other co-accused.
It would be recalled that former Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu, and a former Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Aminu Baba-Kusa were on December 14, 2015 arraigned on 19 count- charge with Dasuki.
Although it could not be ascertained whether the judge would be willing to take the fresh application filed by Dasuki on Friday (today), provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 which is the law guiding criminal proceedings prohibits the hearing of any interlocutory application aimed at halting a criminal trial.
The new law in its sections 306 and 396 stipulate that such interlocutory applications having to do with the merit of the charges filed should only be considered at the stage when the substantive issue in the case is being addressed.
