The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), on Thursday said the Federal Government did not disobey the order of a Federal High Court, Abuja which granted the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), permission to travel on a medical trip to the United Kingdom.
Malami also said operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) were justified in their continuing barricade of Dasuki’s Abuja home, because the ex-NSA failed to submit himself to investigation on further allegations apart from the charges pending against him before the Federal High Court.
The AGF, who fielded questions from journalists and members of staff of the ministry and agencies under the ministry, said the action of the government with respect to Dasuki’s case was in the public interest.
At the interactive session attended by directors and other members of staff of the ministry, as well as heads of various agencies under the supervision of the ministry, Malami said he would give adequate attention to staff welfare.
Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court in Abuja where Dasuki is being prosecuted on four counts of money laundering and illegal possession of firearms had last Monday directed the AGF or his representative to appear before the court on November 23 to clarify the federal government’s position on the issues relating to the order granted the ex-NSA.
While responding to the charge by one of those present that the federal government had flouted the November 3, 2015 order of Justice Ademola, which had permitted Dasuki to travel abroad, Malami gave an undertaking that under President Muhammadu Buhari, “there shall not be flouting of court orders”.
“In some of these cases, some of these high profile culprits may be involved in multiple cases that might require investigation. If you are granted bail in respect of one issue, and the need arises for further investigation in other criminal offences, the law of the land requires investigation and you are bound as a good citizen of the country to submit yourself to investigation.
“The interest of the nation reigns supreme above an individual’s interest. So when the national interest is at stake and it has to be investigated, individual interest naturally gives way.
“It is not enough to conclude that the order was flouted. You have to look at the peculiarities of the prevailing cases on the ground. You can be granted bail with respect to one case and there can be other cases that public policy demands investigation.
“It is only natural to allow investigations to be concluded having regard to the public interest that reigns supreme over and above individual interest.
“The point for consideration is whether the public interest is there as against the individual interest. But as it is, this government is going to uphold due compliance to the rule of law and sustain public interest and sustenance of its tenets,” he said.
Malami also said that the present administration would undertake an audit of high profile corruption cases “so that those who are found wanting for compromising investigations and prosecution processes shall be prosecuted”.
