From Layi Olanrewaju, Ilorin

The Federal  government yesterday explained why former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki and Ibrahim  El- Zakzaky are still being held in detention despite various court orders for their release on bail.
Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed  said Dasuki had refused to account for ‘‘$1.2 billion transactions he made in one day”, an action he said calls for serious security concerns. He said such huge amount could be used to ‘‘destabilise the whole country.’’
‘‘This is an individual who made $1.2 billion transactions in one day, and up till today, he has refused to tell government who he gave the money, and you are saying we should release him,” Mohammaed said.
The minister said the release of Dasuki and El-Zakzaky will constitute serious security risk to the country even as he declared the government “does not have any official policy to marginalise any part of the country against the other.’’ He warned those beating war drums to desist from such unpatriotic act.
Mohammed spoke while fielding questions from journalists on the side line of the 10th Lai Mohammed Annual Ramadan lecture held in his country home, Oro.
He said the federal government has information at its disposal, which could not be divulged because of national security, that releasing  the duo of Dasuki and El-Zakazy without extracting necessary information from them would have negative implications on national security.
‘‘At every point in time, a government will take a hard decision between personal liberty and national security.  In the wake of 911, the US came with regulation that breached the personal rights of Americans and all of us because of national security.
‘‘In the case of both El- Zakky and Dansuki, we are also talking about national security.’’
The minister said since the government would take responsibility for its actions, it cannot guarantee whether the former national security adviser will still stay in the country if granted bail.
On those agitating for a divisive Nigeria the minister cautioned: “Those beating the war drums, God forbid, if the war happens, they will not escape it.’’
Mohammed regretted that hate speeches have continued to gain space in the media “because comments and personal opinions are now taking the place of facts. Some Nigerians swallow what is published on social media hook, line and sinker.’’