$2.2b Arms Deals: Sambo Dasuki To Call Goodluck Jonathan As Witness

Former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki, who is on trial for alleged mismanagement of $2.1billion arms funds, would like former President Goodluck Jonathan to be his witness, it was learnt yesterday.

Dr. Jonathan has faulted the charges against Dasuki, claiming that the ex-NSA could not have stolen about $2.2billion votes for arms. “We bought warships, we bought aircraft, we bought lots of weapons for the army,” he said in a recent interview at the Oxford Union in the United Kingdom.

Speaking with The Nation correspondent, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), the ex-NSA’s counsel, said Dasuki wanted Jonathan to testify in court.Raji said: “It will be desirable for Jonathan to testify for the ex-NSA. It will throw greater light into grey areas. And it will serve the interest of Justice. It will be fantastic for him to go to court to testify. Dasuki is an agent of a disclosed and known principal.”

Another member of the legal team said: “With what Jonathan said in London, the only logical thing for him to do is to see it through.“We want Jonathan to follow-through. If he backs out, it will be bad.”But, in Raji’s view, a political solution will be better than trial because of the “characters involved”.

He said: “But, frankly speaking, I pray for a political solution to the problem because of the characters involved.“Both the accused and the government should embrace a political solution to the problem.”Asked if Dasuki is ready for political solution, he added: “Why not? He is.

”I believe the President is very sincere. He wants to reorganise Nigeria and he deserves the support of all.“With a political solution, Mr. President will be in good stead to overcome unnecessary distractions in order to succeed.“I pray that everybody will key into his vision and the economic challenges facing the nation.”

A source, who spoke in confidence, said Dasuki’s defence team was banking on Jonathan’s testimony. The source added: “So far, we have secured the consent of Jonathan to appear in court for Dasuki. This will make the trial worth it.”