Arms Deal: Dokpesi Arraigned, Remanded In EFCC Custody

The former chairman of Daar Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi was yesterday ordered to be remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) pending the determination of his bail application today.

Dokpesi, who is the owner of the African Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower Radio, was arraigned before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the federal high court in Abuja by the federal government over his alleged involvement in N2.1billion money laundering

But Dokpesi pleaded not guilty to the six-count criminal charges which also involved breach of public trust and procurement.

Dokpesi had been in the custody of the anti graft agency in the past eight days, facing interrogation from operatives of the EFCC on the huge sums he allegedly collected from the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA).

In the charge sheet signed by Aliyu Yusuf, Deputy Director, Legal and Prosecution Department of EFCC, Dokpesi was alleged to have between October 2014 and March 2015 committed procurement fraud by fraudulently receiving N2.12billion into the account of Daar Investment and Holding Company for the funding of media activities for the 2015 presidential election campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to the EFCC, the alleged offence is contrary to section 58 (4) (b) of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and punishable under section 58 (6) and 7 of the same Act.

One of the six-count charge read thus: “that you Dr. Raymond Dokpesi and Daar Investment and Holding Company Limited between October 2014 and 19 March, 2015 in Abuja, conducted procurement fraud by means of fraudulent and corrupt act, to wit: receipt of payment into the account of Daar Investment and Holding Company Limited with First Bank of Nigeria Plc.

of public funds in the sum of N2,120,000,000 from the account of the office of National Security Adviser (NSA) with the Central Bank of Nigeria for the funding of media activities for the 2015 presidential election campaign for the People Democratic Party (PDP) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 58 (4) (b) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 58 (6) & (7) of the same Act”.

“That you Dr. Raymond Dokpesi and Daar Investment and Holding Company Limited between October 2014 and 19 March, 2015 in Abuja, entered into a purported contract on presidential media initiative and received payment in the sum of N2,120,000,000 into the account of Daar Investment and Holding Company Limited with First Bank of Nigeria Plc. from the account of the office of National Security Adviser (NSA) with the Central Bank of Nigeria on account of the purported contract without a “Certificate of “No Objection to Contract Award” duly issued by Public Procurement Bureau and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 16 (1) (b), (4) & (5) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 58 (6) of the same Act”.

“That you Dr. Raymond Dokpesi and Daar Investment and Holding Company Limited between 22 January and 19 March, 2015 in Abuja, knew that an aggregate sum of N2,120,000,000 directly represented the proceeds of criminal conduct of Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and Shuaibu Salisu who were National Security Adviser and the Director of Finance, Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) respectively to wit: criminal breach of trust in respect of the said amount, used the said property and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 17 (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004”.

Attempt by counsel to the accused, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), to move application for his bail yesterday was unsuccessful as the prosecution counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), insisted that he had just been served with a copy of the bail application.

Jacobs told the trial Judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole that he needed time to study and react to the fundamental issues raised by the accused person in the bail application.

By consent of the two lawyers, Justice Kolawole fixed today for argument on whether to grant the bail to Dokpesi or not.