Arms Scam: Court Grants Dokpsei N200 Million Bail; Adjourns Hearing Till February 17

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Monday, December 14th, 2015

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has granted bail to the Chairman of DAAR Communication Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, who is being tried over money laundering in the sum of N200m ( Two Hundred Million Naira).

Dokpesi, who is being arraigned alongside his company, DAAR Investment and Holdings Limited last Wednesday, had pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge relating to alleged fraudulent procurement and breach of public trust preferred against him by the anti-graft body, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).

Counsel to the accused, Mr. Mike Ozekhome (SAN), last week pleaded with the court to grant Dokpesi bail on self-recognition, arguing that the “the applicant has not contributed to the insurgency by his act and the only reason he is held in custody is because of mere speculation of future investigation, which this honourable court cannot act on.

The Prosecution Counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), countered the defence and submitted “The nature of the offence is corruption and a serious one.

“The accused initially denied having any transaction with the office of the National Security Adviser until he was confronted with the evidence. Therefore, such person cannot be granted bail, as this is coming when the country is trying to change its corruption rating in the international community” Jacobs said in a statement issued by the EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole after the submissions granted Dokpesi bail in the sum of N200m, with two sureties in like sum.

The conditions attached to the bail were that the sureties must be a public servant, either serving or retired, and not below the rank of Director, while the second surety must be an entrepreneur who must submit evidence of tax payment in the last three years.

“The sureties must tender title deeds of landed properties in any part of Nigeria, the value of which must not be below N200milion,” Justice Kolawole ruled.

However, he ordered that the accused to submit his international passport or any other international document that could enable him travel out of the country as well as be remanded in Kuje prisons pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions.

Next hearing on the trial proper, was adjourned to February 17, 2016.