For alleged money laundering and sundry fraud charges, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned former Chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi before the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.
Dokpesi charged alongside his business concern, DAAR Investment and Holdings Ltd pleaded not guilty to all of the six-count charge of money laundering and breach of Public Procurement Act.
Upon entering his plea, his counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) who had filed a bail application could not move it because the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) said he needed time to study the bail application before it could be argued since, according to him, he had just been served with Dokpesi’s bail request.
In his reaction, Ozekhome said the charge against his client was only served on him late last night and he had no opportunity to file the bail request for Dokpesi.
After listening to both counsel, the trial Judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole ordered that Dokpesi be remanded in EFCC custody pending the hearing of his bail application fixed for today by 12.30pm.
The prosecution led by Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN),‎ accused the defendants 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 Act and the EFCC Act.
Justice Kolawole has fixed trial for February 17, 18 and March 2 and 3.
