The trial of Raymond Dokpesi of Daar communications for allegedly benefiting for the arms gate slush funds has continued.
Raymond Dokpesi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, re-arraigned the Chairman emeritus of DAAR Communications Plc, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja according to the Vanguard.
Dokpesi who was initially docked before the court on December 9, 2015, is facing a six-count criminal charge. He was alleged to have received about N2.1billion from the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, for Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential media campaign.
According to the charge which was signed by the Deputy Director, Legal and Prosecution at the EFCC, Mr. Aliyu Yusuf, the fund was released to the accused person by the erstwhile NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, rtd, between October 2014 and March 19, 2015.
The funds were allegedly transferred from an account the office of NSA operated with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to a FirstBank of Nigeria Plc account owned by DAAR Investment and Holding Company Limited.
The prosecution maintained that the transaction was in breach of section 58 (4) (b) of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and punishable under section 58 (6) and 7 of the same Act, as well as under section 17 (b) of the EFCC Act, 2004. EFCC equally joined Dokpesi’s firm, DAAR Investment and Holdings Ltd, owners of African Independent Television, AIT, and Raypower FM, as the 2nd defendant in the suit.
Justice Gabriel Kolawole originally fixed the matter for trial today, however at the resumed sitting, EFCC, took Dokpesi before another Judge for re-arraignment. Though no reason was given why the case-file was retrieved from Justice Kolawole, Dokpesi, entered a fresh plea before Justice John Tsoho of the same court, who subsequently adjourned the case till March 2 for trial.