The Federal High Court, Abuja , has asked the Federal Government to proceed with the trial of former National Security Adviser (NSA ), Colonel Sambo Dasuki, should his counsel, Mr . Joseph Daudu (SAN ), fail to appear in court at the next adjourned date.
The trial judge, Justice Ahmed R. Mohammed gave the go - ahead yesterday to the prosecution counsel , Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN ), after he objected to a letter written to the court by Daudu, praying for an adjournment.
    Dasuki is standing trial on alleged illegal possession of firearms and money laundering , and at the resumed trial yesterday, he was seen seated in court but his lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN ) was absent . Rather, the court registrar read out a letter submitted by Joseph Daudu’ s chambers, informing the court that he (Daudu ) was attending the Body of Benchers ’ meeting at the Supreme Court. He therefore prayed the court to adjourn the matter to enable him appear at the next adjourned date .

   Meanwhile, this development did not go down well with the prosecution counsel , Okpeseyi, as he informed the court that even though he has been served with the letter from the defence counsel, it was pregnant with unanswered questions .

  He said : “ As innocent as the letter looks, it is pregnant because this letter is asking the court to decide whether the rights and privileges of a citizen with the authority of the court is subservient to that of the Body of Benchers.

“ Whichever way the court resolves the issue , we are bound by the decision of the court. On our part , we are ready . Our witnesses are also here in court. The Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA ) has specified time and period for adjournment.’’