Embattled former National Security Adviser to former president Goodluck Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki, was not present in court on Wednesday, where he is being tried for money laundering.
His absence in court angered the judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, who ordered the Federal Government to produce him at the next hearing on February 16, 2016.
It was not clear why Dasuki was not today for trial.
“I am worried that the accused is not here. I do not want to set a bad precedent.
“Except the court gives express order for the defendant not to be in court, the accused must be brought to court from wherever he is. The accused must be here because I am not sure if what I am doing right now in the absence of the accused is not an illegality.
“Government and whoever is concerned must endeavour to do the necessary thing. The accused, having been formally charged in court, must be produced in court for trial on the appointed days in compliance with provisions of the law,” the judge said.
Meanwhile, counsel to the FG, Dipo Okpeseyi, has withdrawn an application seeking to stop Dasuki’s bail and the court thereafter struck it out.
Dasuki Shuns Court On Wednesday https://t.co/O4lsQPW2uc