The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has re-arraigned
the Founder and Former Chairman of DAAR Communications PLC, Raymond
Dokpesi, before Justice John Tsoho, of the Federal High Court sitting in
Abuja.
Recall, that Dokpesi and his company (DAAR Communications) were arraigned on December 9, 2015 before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the same court, on a six count charge bordering on alleged procurement fraud and breach of public trust to the tune of N2.1 billion.
They were said to have received N2.1 billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, between October 2014 and March 2015, which was used for the Peoples Democratic Party’s Presidential media campaign, an offence in breach of the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act and the EFCC Establishment Act.
One of the counts reads: “That you Dr. Raymond Dokpesi and Daar Investment and Holding Company Limited between October 2014 and March 19, 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 Peoples 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”.
Dokpesi, who answered to the charge for himself and his company, said they were both not guilty to the charge.
Shortly after the arraignment, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who led four other Senior Advocates for the defence, prayed the court to allow his client remain on the bail earlier granted to him by Justice Kolawole.
The prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs handling his case told the court that there was need for the pleas to be taken afresh by the defendant.
Dokpesi’s previous bail conditions included a N200 million bail bond with two sureties in like sum.
One of the sureties must be a serving or retired director in the Federal Civil Service Commission while the other surety could be a private investor who has paid tax for at least the last three years.
Recall, that Dokpesi and his company (DAAR Communications) were arraigned on December 9, 2015 before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the same court, on a six count charge bordering on alleged procurement fraud and breach of public trust to the tune of N2.1 billion.
They were said to have received N2.1 billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, between October 2014 and March 2015, which was used for the Peoples Democratic Party’s Presidential media campaign, an offence in breach of the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act and the EFCC Establishment Act.
One of the counts reads: “That you Dr. Raymond Dokpesi and Daar Investment and Holding Company Limited between October 2014 and March 19, 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 Peoples 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”.
Dokpesi, who answered to the charge for himself and his company, said they were both not guilty to the charge.
Shortly after the arraignment, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who led four other Senior Advocates for the defence, prayed the court to allow his client remain on the bail earlier granted to him by Justice Kolawole.
The prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs handling his case told the court that there was need for the pleas to be taken afresh by the defendant.
“My lord, we would refer that this matter was transferred to your lordship, there is need for a fresh plea, my Lord,” Jacobs said, and also asked the court to grant him permission to read the charges to the defendant.The trial judge, Justice James Tsoho, agreed to Olanipekun’s request that the defendants remain on the bail earlier granted to them. He adjourned to March 2, for the commencement of trial.
Dokpesi’s previous bail conditions included a N200 million bail bond with two sureties in like sum.
One of the sureties must be a serving or retired director in the Federal Civil Service Commission while the other surety could be a private investor who has paid tax for at least the last three years.
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