ECOWAS court orders immediate release of Dasuki

ECOWAS regional court has ruled that Nigeria's former national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki who has been held since December for alleged fraud, be released.

Mr.  Dasuki was accused of illegally transferring fifty million dollars from the national security budget to fund election campaigns for members of former President Goodluck Jonathan's party.
 
He was also accused of awarding ghost contracts to buy 12 helicopters and four fighter jets which never materialized.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and says they are politically motivated. 

A judge at the court ruled that his detention is unlawful and arbitrary. 

He has therefore ordered the government to pay Mr. Dasuki forty seven thousand dollars in compensation for his arrest and detention.

BBC