Gambaryan, in an originating motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/356/24 sought a declaration that his detention and seizure of his international travel passport, contravened Section 35 (1) and (4) of 1999 Constitution.

He urged the court to order the NSA and the EFCC to release him from their custody and return his international travel passport with immediate effect.

Gambaryan also sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further detaining him in relation to any investigation into or demands from Binance.

He also urged the court to order the respondents to issue a public apology to him.

Gambaryan averred that he was in Nigeria alongside fleeing Nadeem Anjarwalla to honour the invitation of the ONSA and EFCC to discuss issues relating to Binance in Nigeria.

Anjarwalla escaped from the guest house where he and Gambaryan were being held He argued that he had not committed any offence during the meeting, and neither was he informed in writing of any offence he personally committed in Nigeria at any other time.

“The only reason for his detention is because the government is requesting information from Binance and making demands on the company,” he added.

The fleeing Anjarwalla also filed a similar suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/355/24.

At the proceedings on Thursday, T.J. Krukrubo (SAN) appeared for the plaintiffs, while the respondents had no representation.

Krukrubo informed the court that the respondents were served two days ago.

Shortly after that, he announced to the court that he was withdrawing from the matter as counsel for the fleeing Anjarwalla.

He did not give reasons for his withdrawal.

The trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, adjourned the matter till April 8.

The panel is chaired by the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Major General, Barry Ndiomu, with Mr David Attah as Secretary.

Speaking during the inauguration in Abuja on Tuesday, Monguno said Nigeria was currently facing a monumental loss of revenue that ought to have accrued from the sale of crude oil, being the main source of its foreign exchange earnings.

He said the alarming rate of vandalism and theft of crude oil had led to a significant decline in production, which has impacted the nation’s revenue.

He added that the country’s current crude production struggles to meet even one million barrels per day, adding that recent interventions by the security agencies had revealed massive illicit platforms of stealing ranging.

He said, “The extent of the oil and revenue losses threatens the economy, constraining the administration to revert to less popular monetary and fiscal policies to address revenue side constraints with dire implications.

“Government has been briefed on the dwindling economic fortunes including, the inability to replenish foreign reserves and reduction in revenue thereby, affecting accruals into the Federation Account.

“With the scale of the theft and losses and the alleged complicity of regulatory agencies/officials and security personnel as well as the involvement of international collaborators, the enterprise is deeply entrenched and would be extremely, difficult to exterminate without very stern and decisive action by the government.

“The menace of oil theft/losses is completely unacceptable, considering its attendant impact on the economy, national development and security.

“It is an affront to government and its institutions, which must be tackled without further delay.

“It is in this connection that the government, worried by the ugly trend, among other things, directed the setting up of a Special Investigative Panel on Oil Theft/Losses in Nigeria to investigate all aspects of crude oil theft, identify the culprits and submit its Report for necessary action.”

He said government would rather deploy all necessary forces to eliminate criminals than to negotiate with bandits and terrorists.

Monguno disclosed this during the weekly ministerial briefing at the State House in Abuja.

According to him, negotiating with the criminals would suggest weakness and incapacity on the part of government.

He said the government would not succumb to blackmail and the use of criminals by proxies to harass innocent citizens.

“While the government is not averse to talking it must apply the necessary force because you can’t trust these people.

“Government wants to use military assets to eliminate them but if along the line, the come out, good. It paints the picture of weakness, incapacity,” Monguno said.

The President said this will effectively counter the security situation across the country.

National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Mungono, rtd disclosed this to the  State House Correspondents after a National Security Council meeting held at the State House, presided over by the President.

He, further stated that the government was working on a solution to the security crisis in some parts of the country.

According to him, the Minister of Defense, Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd), was “working on something.”

Speaking on the possible cause for the increase rate of insecurity in the nation, the NSA said the council noted that proliferation of drugs was driving insecurity in the country.

Monguno accused Kyari of interfering in security matters which he insists is not within the purview of Kyari’s office.

Mr Monguno said Mr Kyari’s directives to service chiefs were sometimes issued without the knowledge much less approval of the president, a practice he said has added to government’s failure to contain insecurity.

National security sources told PREMIUM TIMES on Monday that the fresh memo showed how Mr Kyari has helped in keeping the service chiefs in office despite overwhelming call for their ouster.
It also underscored the frustration faced by Mr Monguno and others who found Mr Kyari’s influence over the president too domineering for national benefit, sources said.

Ahmed Raji wondered why someone who has been granted bail on numerous occassions will want to remain in the custody of a security agency.

He further stated that no further investigation has been carried out nor new charges filed since Dasuki was re-arrested in December 2015 at Kuje Prison gate.

He said: “This statement, as alluring as it sounds, is a contradiction of the events that have taken place since 2015, when charges were first preferred against Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd). It is therefore most incorrect and inaccurate to claim that Col. Dasuki prayed the Court to be kept in DSS facility. This is far from the truth. Perhaps, there is no synergy between the Counsel appearing for the government in Dasuki matters and the DSS hierarchy. Consequently, we appeal to all Authorities, and principally – DSS, to comply with the various extant Orders of the Court, by immediately releasing Col. Dasuki (rtd). On 3rd November 2015, the Federal High Court – Abuja, after admitting Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd) to bail on self-recognizance, granted him leave to travel abroad for a three-week medical consultation, on account of failing health. As expected of an individual seeking to enjoy the bail terms granted by the Court and the constitutionally protected presumption of innocence in his favour, Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd) attempted to seek the necessary medical attention but Officers of the DSS laid siege on his house in Asokoro, in brazen defiance of the Order of Court; and thereby deliberately disallowed him from accomplishing the terms of the Order. The Federal Government, while confirming the continued detention of Col. Dasuki, explained that such actions were due to the severity of the alleged offences. Excerpts of these events were well stated in several reports of National Dailies of 31st December, 2015. In complying with the due process of law, Col. Dasuki filed processes seeking to extend the travel period granted by the Federal High Court and DSS vehemently opposed the application, and continued to barricade Col. Dasuki’s residence. Shortly thereafter, two separate Charges were preferred against him at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in Charge No. FCT/CR/42/2015 & Charge No. FCT/CR/43/2015 against Col. Dasuki, while DSS continued to detain him on purported investigation on allegations of money laundering offences. Bail was subsequently granted on the charges on December 21, 2015 and December 18, 2015, terms of which were duly complied with. Consequently, he was released by the Kuje Prison authorities where he was remanded, but on stepping out of the gate of the Prison, he was seized by the men of DSS and he has been kept by them since”.