The
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday re-arraigned a former
Chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, before a Federal
High Court in Abuja on six counts of money laundering and other charges
relating to procurement fraud.
The
charges involve N2.1bn which he allegedly received from the Office of the National Security
Adviser between October 2014 and March 19, 2015 to prosecute Peoples
Democratic Party’s 2015 presidential media campaign.
The
re-arraignment followed the withdrawal of the case by the Chief Judge of the
Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta from the former trial judge, Justice
Gabriel Kolawole, and the subsequent transfer of the matter to Justice James
Tsoho.
Dokpesi
and his firm, Daar Investment and Holdings Ltd, had earlier denied the charges
when they were initially arraigned before Justice Kolawole on December 9, 2015.
The judge
had subsequently on December 14, 2015, granted bail to Dokpesi in the sum
of N200m with two sureties in like sum and fixed Wednesday for commencement of
trial.
However,
the trial could not begin as earlier scheduled due to the need for the matter
to start afresh as a result of the transfer of the case to another judge.
Appearing
before Justice Tsoho on Wednesday, Dokpesi, whose defence team is now being led
by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), again denied the charges as he earlier did
during his initial arraignment.
The
prosecution led by Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), accused Dokepsi and Daar Investment and Holdings Ltd, of receiving,
N2.1bn from the office of the National Security Adviser between October 2014
and March 19, 2015 for the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential media
campaign in breach of provisions of the Public Procurement Act, Money
Laundering (Prohibition) Act and the EFCC (Establishment) Act.
Dokpesi
rounded of his plea on Wednesday by responding, “absolutely, absolutely and
absolutely not guilty” to the charges when read to him.
Justice
Tsoho granted a request by the lead defence lawyer, Olanipekun, to allow
Dokpesi on bail in the same terms and conditions earlier granted him by Justice
Kolawole.
The trial
was adjourned till March 2 and 3.
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