Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN) yesterday explained why the government prevented former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki, from travelling.

“You can be granted bail with respect to one case and there can be other cases that public policy demands investigation,” he said referring to the ex-NSA, who recently released some details on arms procurement under him.

Malami, during an interaction with the staff of the ministry, denied that agents of the Federal Government were frustrating the execution of the November 3 order of a Federal High Court in Abuja, permitting Dasuki to see to his health.

The AGF, insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari’s government was committed to respecting court decisions and the rule of law.

“There shall not be flouting of court orders. But, I wish, as a way of further elaboration, to bring your attention to an issue. 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 is flouted, but 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 investigation to be concluded, having regard to public interest; that reigns supreme over and above individual interest.

“The point for consideration is whether the public interest is there as against 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,” Malami said.
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