Former Nigerian top official's fraud trial postponed

The trial of Nigeria’s former national security adviser to former president Goodluck Jonathan for his 19 fraud related charges has been postponed to February 4, 2016.

Although granted bail in December, Colonel Sambo Dasuki remained in detention. His legal team on Friday argued around issues of procedural violations. The trial judge Hussein Yusuf adjourned the trial saying the “problem” could not be dealt with then.

Arrested in December, Dasuki is accused of embezzling more than $2 billion meant for the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency and for the purchase of weapons. This money was to be used on the acquisition of 12 helicopters, 4 planes and ammunition.

Dasuki allegedly and a number of his colleagues diverted the funds to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election campaign.

The lawsuit is part of the West African country’s President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign initiated after his election last year.