Nigeria's ex-national security adviser pleads 'not guilty' to weapons charge

ABUJA, Nigeria, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Nigeria's former national security adviser appeared in Nigerian court Tuesday to plead "not guilty" to charges of illegal weapons possession.

Sambo Dasuki was fired from his position in July, along with Nigeria's air marshal and its army, navy, air force, defense staff and intelligence chiefs. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari replaced each with merit-based candidates after they failed to end the six-year Boko Haram insurgency.

Nigerian media reported last month authorities found at least seven high-caliber rifles, military gear and 12 new vehicles, including five bullet-proof cars, at three of Dasuki's residences.

The country's Department of State Security said it had credible intelligence linking Dasuki to "alleged plans to com­mit treasonable felony against the Nigerian state," noting the former national security adviser likely bought the weapons and equipment with funds obtained through corrupt practices.

Dasuki maintained he was innocent and that the weapons belonged to his security guards.

The BBC reports a judge on Tuesday granted Dasuki bail and ordered the country's intelligence agency to hand over his passport to the court as a stipulation.

Dasuki and the other sacked military chiefs had been appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan as replacements to those positions amid growing violence by terrorist group Boko Haram. Dasuki advised Jonathan on security issues, briefly took on responsibilities of the defense minister and was a proponent of delaying Nigerian elections earlier this year due to security concerns. He is the first senior official from the former administration to be charged under Buhari's rule.

Jonathan lost March elections to Buhari, who pledged to crack down on Boko Haram and corruption within the Nigerian government.