This archive report was first published on 25 December 2019.
On December 24, 2019, Nigeria's former national defence advisor, Sambo Dasuki, was finally freed from jail after spending four years behind bars despite multiple court orders to release him on bail.
Dasuki, who was arrested in 2015 for allegedly stealing $2 billion, is accused of siphoning money earmarked for the fight against Islamic militant group Boko Haram and allegedly using it to help bankroll former president Goodluck Jonathan's failed re-election campaign in 2015.
According to a senior DSS officer, Dasuki was released on Tuesday night and has since reunited with his family in Abuja.
"He was granted bail by the court," the source said, adding: "He can travel out of the country to seek medical attention but with the permission of the court since his case will have to continue."
"He was released Tuesday night and has since reunited with his family in Abuja," a senior DSS officer told AFP.
Dasuki's release comes as Nigeria's intelligence agency has come under attack from critics for ignoring court orders to release certain prominent prisoners.
Just a day before, the DSS freed a prominent journalist and opposition activist, Omoyele Sowore, who had been held since August despite court orders demanding his release.
