An Abuja High Court has fixed March 14 for judgment in a fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by a former aide to the ex-National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki. The former Aide, Col. Nicholas Ashinze is seeking an order of the court for his release from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on bail.
Ashinze alleged through his counsel, Mike Ozekhome that he had been in custody of EFCC and the Nigerian Army since December 23, 2015. Ashinze was said to have been arrested and detained in relation to ongoing investigation into alleged mismanagement of arms funds under the previous administration. None of the respondents’ lawyers was present in court for the hearing when the case was called.
This prompted defence counsel to urge the court to go ahead with the hearing as the absence of the respondents’ lawyers was insufficient to adjourn the case which was already fixed for hearing. Justice Yusuf Halilu consequently adjourned till March 14 for ruling on the bail application. Ashinze is also seeking an order directing the respondents to tender to him a public apology and pay to him N500m as compensation.
