Arms Scam: Dokpesi Re-Arraigned As Case Moves To Another Judge

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Wednesday, February 17th, 2016

– Tinubu’s Lawyer Now Leads Suspect’s Legal Team

By Ganiyu Nasirudeen

The Chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), standing trial on a six count money laundering suit preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was re-arraigned Wednesday at a Federal Court sitting in Abuja, due to withdrawal of former judges handling the case and subsequent transfer to another one.

Chief Dokpesi was quizzed last year, investigated by the officials of the EFCC for allegedly collecting the sum of N2.1 Billion believed to be part of $2.1 Billion arms procurement money from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

He was arraigned in December 2015, but later released on bail.

The suit has been previously withdrawn by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, after which it was transferred to Justice Gabriel Kolawole. Following the withdrawal of Justice Kolawole, hearing of the suit was transferred to Justice James Tsoho, hence the fresh arraignment.

As he did previously, Dokpesi Wednesday denied all the alleged charges preferred against him. The suspect whose team of Counsels was formerly being led by Chief Mike Ozeikhome is now being led by another senior Lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN).

In his submission, the prosecution Counsels led by Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN),‎ like he did previously, accused the first defendant and his company, Daar Investment and Holdings Ltd, of receiving, N2.1bn from Col . Dasuki, between October 2014 and March 19, 2015 for the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) Presidential media campaign.

This, Mr. Jacobs argued that the alleged act ran contrary to the provisions of the Public Procurement Act; Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act and the EFCC (Establishment) Act.

Having pleaded not guilty to the charges read against him, Justice Tsoho granted a request by Dokpesi’s Lawyer, to allow his client be granted bail on the similar terms and conditions as granted to him by Justice Kolawole.

Justice Tsoho subsequently adjourned trial till March 2 and 3, 2016.