Former military governor of Kaduna State, Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (retd) has hit the Federal Government over the ordeal of erstwhile National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).
His continued detention, according to him, was beyond anti-graft war, as he claimed Dasuki was being punished because of his loyal service to former president Goodluck Jonathan.
In a statement issued yesterday, Umar also expressed sadness at the continued vilification of Jonathan, who he said was the most maligned Nigerian former head of state, despite all he has done for the country.
To buttress his witch-hunt claim, Umar drew attention to the series of court rulings ordering the release of the ex-NSA boss, but which the government has flouted.
“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,” Umar said.
The former military governor, however, lauded the decision by the Federal Government to suspend the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. David Babachir Lawal and the Director General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr. Ayodele Oke while being investigated without being detained. He said it was a welcome development in the administration’s war against corruption.
The statement read: “Most fair-minded Nigerians are no more impressed and are indeed skeptical 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.’’
