Dasuki reportedly turned down federal govt offer to attend fathers burial

Detained former national security adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki reportedly rejected the offer made by the federal government to attend his father's burial.

 Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazaum disclosed this to newsmen in Sokoto today after Dasuki's father's burial, the 18th sultan, who died on Monday night. He said the federal government first offered to allow him to visit his sick father at the hospital some days ago but he declined, saying he preferred to remain in detention and pray for him. 

 "A second offer was also made to him Monday night to be taken to Sokoto to lead the mourning for his deceased, and he again turned down the offer," Dambazau said.

Speaking after the burial at the Sultan Bello Mosque, Dambazau said he conferred with the DSS DG, Lawal Daura, on the need to allow Dasuki to visit his grieving family.

"Let me correct the impression that Col Sambo Dasuki was prevented from attending the burial rites of his father. We had discussed with the DG SSS and he was offered the opportunity to visit his late father on his hospital bed in Abuja. He declined, saying he preferred to remain where he was and pray for his sick father. He was also offered to be in Sokoto throughout the mourning period and also declined, preferring to pray for him. That was the true situation."

The former NSA has been in detention for over a year for alleged misappropriation of funds meant for the purchase of arms under the Goodluck Jonathan's administration.