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Tag: Dokpesi

  • Why there was shakeup in DAAR communications management, by Dokpesi Jnr

    Why there was shakeup in DAAR communications management, by Dokpesi Jnr

    The chairperson of DAAR Communications, Raymond Dokpesi Jnr, has explained the reasons behind the recent management changes at the organisation.

    Dokpesi Jnr clarified that the decision to part ways with some directors was not driven by personal preference.

    In a statement, Dokpesi Jnr said: “The shake-up, which has seen the departure of several long-serving directors, is part of a broader strategy to align with regulatory requirements and ensure the company’s future growth.

    “It isn’t a personal decision to ask anyone to go. If it were up to me, I would definitely want to harness the experiences, relationships, and skill sets of our management for a little bit longer.

    “As a publicly listed company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, DAAR Communications is subject to the rules set by the Security and Exchange Commission and the code of corporate governance.

    “These regulations mandate that directors serve no more than two terms of five years. Our responsibilities to our shareholders transcend personal choices or opinions.”

    He noted that many of the current management team members have been with DAAR Communications since its early days, with some serving for up to 27 years.

    Read Also: Obaseki, deputy, others honour Dokpesi at first posthumous anniversary in Edo

    He said: “Their retirement is, in fact, long overdue. This decision should have been made five, six, or seven years ago.”

    With the current political environment now more favorable, Dokpesi Jnr believes it is an ideal time for a strategic review of the company’s direction.

    “The time is right for us to review where we want to go. We must decide whether to continue on our existing trajectory or to pursue something different.”

    He highlighted that the shake-up aims to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory standards, thereby instilling confidence in investors and supporting the company’s growth.

    “We need to abide by existing laws and regulations to give the investing public confidence in our organization and its administration,” Dokpesi Jnr explained.

    Dokpesi Jnr assured that these changes would create opportunities for both existing staff and external candidates.

    “Opportunities will open up for people within DAAR Communications to advance into new roles, as well as for qualified individuals from outside the organization and the broader industry to contribute,” he concluded.

  • Alleged N2.1b fraud: You have case to answer, court tells Dokpesi

    A FEDERAL High Court in Abuja has rejected the no-case submission made by businessman Raymond Dokpesi and his company, Daar Investment and Holdings Company Limited, in their trial on charges of alleged breach of procurement law to the tune of N2.1 billion

    Justice John Tsoho, in a ruling yesterday, rejected the argument by the defence team led by Kanu Agabi (SAN), to the effect that the prosecution has not made out evidence against the  defendants to warrant their being called to enter a defence.

    The judge upheld the argument by the prosecution led by Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) to the effect that the court is, at this stage, only to establish whether or not a prima facie case has been established against the defendants, not to evaluate the evidence led and establish the guilt or otherwise of the defendants.

    Justice Tsoho said, by the evidence led by the prosecution through its witnesses, a prima facie case has been established, requiring the defendants to say their own side of the story.

    The judge relied on the Supreme Court’s decision in the Metuh vs. FRN case and held that a prima facie case has been made out against the defendants.

    “This is not a stage to evaluate the evidence of the prosecution. The no-case submission, filed by the defendants on June 19, 2018, is struck out.

    “The defendants are hereby invited to explain their own side of the story,” the judge said.

    Justice Tsoho added that at the stage of no-case submission, the court was not expected to determine whether or not the prosecution has proved the guilt of the defendants.

    He said the court was required, at the closure of the prosecution’s case, to only determine if any admissible evidence no matter slight had been led against the defendants.

    ?Justice Tsoho noted that the argument by the prosecution, to the effect that the defendants reasonably ought to know that the N2.1 billion was part of the proceeds of Dasuki’s illegal activities, was “instructive”.

    The judge referred to the portion of the prosecution’s written argument, where it contended that: “In the instant case, the applicants knew they had no contract with the Office of the National Security Adviser, but received the aggregate sum of N2,120,000,000 from the office for doing no work at all.

    “This money, the applicants are aware, does not belong to the then NSA, Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd), as it was not even paid from the personal account, but from the account of the NSA.

    “Knowing that the said money must have been received as part of the unlawful acts of the said NSA, the 1st defendant (Dokpesi) sought to wriggle his way out through the explanation he proffered in his statements.

    “Certainly, the applicants ought reasonably to know that such money formed part of the unlawful activity of the then NSA.”

    The judge stated that the court was, at the stage in the case, concerned with ascertaining whether “the proof of evidence discloses an offence or offences or whether the accused person is linked to the offence to require his answer to his involvement therein”.

    “The court is not expected, at that state, to make an opinion on the evidence. At the stage of no case submission, the credibility of the prosecution’s witnesses should not be considered.

    “It is not at this stage that the court can believe or disbelieve the witness,” the judge said.

    He described as ambitious, the defendants’  argument that Section 303(3)(a) of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) requires the prosecution to prove the guilt of the defendants as against just making a prima facie case.

    Justice Tsoho said to agree with such interpretation of the Section 303(3)(a) of the ACJA would incongruous to established principles on no-case submission.

    The judge adjourned to February 20 and 21 next year.

    The defendants are being tried on a seven-count charge brought by the  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    They are charged with money laundering, procurement fraud and accused of fraudulently receiving N2.1 billion from the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) between January and March 2015.

  • Alleged N2.1bn money laundering: Direct your probe at Dasuki, Jonathan, Dokpesi tells court

    Businessman, Raymond Dokpesi, has faulted the money laundering charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Dokpesi queried the exclusion of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan from EFCC’s probe of the allegation that he (Dokpesi) and his firm, Daar Investment and Holdings Company Limited, were involved in the laundering of N2.1billion.

    The businessman, who is being tried with his firm, before the Federal High Court, Abuja also wondered why they were being prosecuted instead of the ex-National Security Adviser (NSA), Mohammed Dasuki, who is alleged to have laundered the money.

    Dokpesi’s argument is contained in a no-case submission adopted yesterday by his lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN).

    The case against Dokpesi and his firm, includes that they allegedly received N2.1b from the Office of the National Security Adviser, under Sambo Dasuki, as payment for a “purported contract on presidential media initiative”.

    They are also accused of receiving the N2.1b from ONSA to prosecute the 2015 presidential media campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Adopting the no-case submission yesterday, Agabi, an ex-Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), argued that the prosecution’s case against his clients and evidence led so far are replete with contradictions and inconsistencies.

    Agabi argued that the prosecution failed to call vital witnesses such as Dasuki or former President Goodluck Jonathan whom he said Dokpesi implicated in his statement.

    The ex-AGF  said, “The money was paid by Col. Dasuki. His name is mentioned in the four counts of money laundering as the one who made the payment.

    “Therefore, he is the one alleged to be laundering the funds. The money in counts one to four is not being laundered by the defendant. The launderer is Col. Dasuki.

    “So, if the launderer is Col. Dasuki, are we going to convict him behind him? We cannot convict him behind him.

    “Why is he not charged? His name is mentioned again and again in the charges.

    “Even if they are not going to charge him, they should have called him as a witness because it is his action that is in question here,” Agabi said

    ýHe equally noted that despite that Dokpesi implicated former President Jonathan, the anti-graft agency failed to interview him or call him as a witness.

    He said: “The 1st defendant (Dokpesi), in his statement, implicated the former President. Witnesses testified that they did not interview the former President

    “The rule of the court is that once the statement of the defendant (Dokpesi’s statement) is tendered by the prosecution it becomes the case of the prosecution,” Agabi said.

    He argued that the prosecution failed to disclose ingredients of money laundering in count one to four

    He contended that, for a transaction to constitute a money laundering offence, the money involved must be proceeds of crime.

    Agabi noted that, in the instant case, the money in the ONSA’s account with the Central Bank of Nigeria, from which his clients were paid, could not have been proceeds of crime.

    He argued that the prosecution failed to establish aprima facie case against his clients to warrant their being callled upon to enter defence.

    He argued that the charges were defective as they allegedly failed to disclose the ingredients of money laundering against his clients and were “riddled with inconsistencies from the head to the toes.”

    Agabi urged the court to dismiss the charge and discharge and acquit his clients.

    Responding, prosecuting lawyer, Oluwaleke Atolagbe urged the court to dismiss the no-case submission and order the defendants to enter their defence to the prosecution’s case.

    Atolagbe contended that the defendants’ submission, to the effect that Dokpesi should be held to account for any money laundering charge, was an admission that they committed the alleged crimes,

    He argued that all the ingredients of the alleged offences were proved by the prosecution and all the  necessary witnesses needed to prove the case were called.

    Atolagbe said the defence’s line of argument involving Dasuki’s roles was an admission that they committed the alleged crimes.

    He said for instance, the former Director of Finance and Administration of ONSA, Salisu Shuaibu, was called as the second prosecution witness.

    He noted that even though the charges before the case were not against Dasuki, the allegations of breach of trust, misappropriation and corruption levelled against the former NSA had been proved with the various witnesses called in the case.

    Atolagbe added: “They said prosecution must prove breach of trust against Col. Dasuki. Even if that must be an element of the offence of money laundering, the evidence is enough to prove it

    “PW2 (Shuaibu) gave a very elaborate evidence of how he was instructed to just make payments without contract or any relationship.

    “Dasuki is not standing trial here. We don’t need to prove charge against Col. Dasuki here. He is being tried in another court. Even if that is what is required, we have proven it.

    “This is also an admission on their part that there is money laundering, so they should enter their defence.”

    Atolagbe faulted Agabi’s claim that the prosecution’s evidence was riddled with contradictions and inconsistencies in the charges.

    He said: “That cannot also stand because money obtained in violation of the Public Procurement Act, as admitted by the defendant, certainly cannot be legitimate.”

    Atolagbe asked the court “to direct the defendants to enter their defence” or enable them call witnesses, such as Dasuki and Jonathan, that they argued the prosecution failed to call.

    Trial judge, Justice John Tsoho, adjourned to November 12 for ruling.

  • N2.1b laundering: Direct your probe at Dasuki, Jonathan – Dokpesi

    *Queries EFCC’s failure to question ex-President.
    *Court to rule Nov 12

     

    Businessman, Raymond Dokpesi has faulted the money laundering charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Dokpesi queried the exclusion of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan from EFCC’s probe of the allegation that he (Dokpesi) and his firm, Daar Investment and Holdings Company Limited were involved in the laundering of N2.1billion.

    The businessman, who is being tried with his firm, before the Federal High Court, Abuja also wondered why they were being prosecuted instead of the ex-National Security Adviser (NSA), Mohammed Dasuki, who is alleged to have laundered the money.

    Dokpesi’s argument is contained in a no-case submission adopted on Friday by his lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN).

    The case against Dokpesi and his firm, includes that they allegedly received N2.1b from the office of the National Security Adviser, under Sambo Dasuki, as payment for a “purported contract on presidential media initiative”.

    They are also accused of receiving the N2.1b from ONSA to prosecute the 2015 presidential media campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Adopting the no-case submission on Friday, Agabi, an ex-Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), argued that the prosecution’s case against his clients and evidence led so far are replete with contradictions and inconsistencies.

    Agabi argued that the prosecution failed to call vital witnesses such as Dasuki or former President Goodluck Jonathan whom he said his Dokpesi implicated in his statement.

    The ex-AGF said, “The money was paid by Col. Dasuki. His name is mentioned in the four counts of money laundering as the one who made the payment.

    “Therefore he is the one alleged to be laundering the funds. The money in counts one to four is not being laundered by the defendant. The launderer is Col. Dasuki.

    “So, if the launderer is Col. Dasuki, are we going to convict him behind him? We cannot convict him behind him.

    “Why is he not charged? His name is mentioned again and again in the charges.

    “Even if they are not going to charge him, they should have called him as a witness because it is his action that is in question here,” Agabi said

    ‎He equally noted that despite that Dokpesi implicated former President Jonathan, the anti-graft agency failed to interview him or call him as a witness.

    He said, “The 1st defendant (Dokpesi) in his statement implicated the former President. Witnesses testified that they did not interview the former President

    “The rules of the court is that once the statement of the defendant (Dokpesi’s statement) is tendered by the prosecution it becomes the case of the prosecution,” Agabi said.

    He argued that the prosecution failed to disclose ingredients of money laundering in count one to four.

    He contended that, for a transaction to constitute a money laundering offence, the money involved must be proceeds of crime.

    Agabi noted that, in the instant case, the money in the ONSA’s account with the Central Bank of Nigeria, from which his clients were paid, could not have been proceeds of crime.

    He argued that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against his clients to warrant their being called upon to enter defence.

    He argued that the charges were defective as they allegedly failed to disclose the ingredients of money laundering against his clients and were “riddled with inconsistencies from the head to the toes.”

    Agabi urged the court to dismiss the charge and discharge and acquit his clients.

    Responding, prosecuting lawyer, Oluwaleke Atolagbe urged the court to dismiss the no-case submission and order the defendants to enter their defence to the prosecution’s case.

    Atolagbe contended that the defendants’ submission, to the effect that Dokpesi should be held to account for any money laundering charge, was an admission that they committed the alleged crimes.

    Read Also: APC lambasts Ikpeazu’s car gifts to LG chairmen, Monarchs

    He argued that all the ingredients of the alleged offences were proved by the prosecution and all the necessary witnesses needed to prove the case were called.

    Atolagbe said the defence’s line of argument involving Dasuki’s roles was an admission that they committed the alleged crimes.

    He said for instance, the former Director of Finance and Administration of ONSA, Salisu Shuaibu, was called as the second prosecution witness.

    He noted that even though the charges before the case were not against Dasuki, the allegations of breach of trust, misappropriation and corruption leveled against the former NSA had been proved with the various witnesses called in the case.

    ‎Atolagbe added: “They said prosecution must prove breach of trust against Col. Dasuki. Even if that must be an element of the offence of money laundering, the evidence is enough to prove it

    “PW2 (Shuaibu) gave a very elaborate evidence of how he was instructed to just make payments without contract or any relationship.

    “Dasuki is not standing trial here. We don’t need to prove charge against Col. Dasuki here. He is being tried in another court. Even if that is what is required, we have proven it.

    “This is also an admission on their part that there is money laundering, so they should enter their defence.”

    Atolagbe faulted Agabi’s claim that the prosecution’s evidence was riddled with contradictions and inconsistencies in the charges.
    He said: “That cannot also stand, because money obtained in violation of Public Procurement Act, as admitted by the defendant, certainly cannot be legitimate.”

    Atolagbe asked the court “to direct the defendants to enter their defence” or enable them call witnesses, such as Dasuki and Jonathan, that they argued the prosecution failed to call.

    Trial judge, Justice John Tsoho adjourned to November 12 for ruling.

  • ‘N2.1b fraud’: Dokpesi received funds without executing contract, says witness

    A PROSECUTION witness in the N2.1 billion fraud case filed against Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Mr. Usman Aliyu, yesterday told the Federal High Court, Abuja, that the defendant received the money without executing any contract.

    Dokpesi, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, was docked by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly receiving the money from the office of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).

    The prosecution also announced the closure of its case after calling 14 witnesses.

    Aliyu, an operative of the EFCC, led in evidence by the commission’s counsel, Mr. Oluwaleke Atolagbe, said Dokpesi received the funds through his company, DAAR Investments and Holdings Ltd.

    Dokpesi, former Chairman of DAAR Communications, is facing a seven-count charge, bordering on money laundering and procurement fraud.

    Aliyu added that N60 million out of the N2.1 billion was transferred to two companies, including Archithesis Ltd and Wood Country Investment Ltd.

    “We invited the owners and promoters of these companies, one Ayonbani, who volunteered his statement and confirmed that he received the fund from Dokpesi.

    “He stated that the fund was for renovation and reconstruction work he was to carry out at the home of Dokpesi in Edo.”

    An exhibit, marked D- statement of account, was produced in court by the witness to show the details of the transactions.

    According to the exhibit, on January 22, 2015, N500 million was credited to the account of DAAR Investment and Holdings Ltd by the office of the former NSA with no work done.

    “The balance in the account before the transaction was N113, 885.28.”

    He also said on February 4, 2015, there was a credit deposit of another N500 million from the office of the NSA to DAAR Investment and Holdings account.

    On Feb. 9, 2015, another deposit of N620 million was made into the account by the same office of the former NSA.

    “On March 19, 2015, Dokpesi’s company account was also credited with N500 million.”

    Aliyu also analysed the bank statements for the transactions between Dokpesi and the two companies (Archithesis and Wood Country Investment Ltd) with dates.

    Responding to a question by the defence counsel, Mr. Kanu Agabi  (SAN), on whether the account of the office of the NSA was kept with the Central Bank of Nigeria, he answered in the affirmative.

    Agabi also asked if funds kept in such account were the proceeds of crime and the witness said no.

    The witness also responded in the negative, when he was asked whether he obtained a statement from the defendant.

    The witness said he read the defendant’s statement, but did not investigate the allegations Dokpesi made, because he was only limited to the N2.1 billion received by his company.

    Upon further interrogation, he admitted that the defendant had no control over the procedure for making payments in the office of the former NSA.

    But Atolagbe, after calling his 14th witness, told the judge the commission is concluding its testimony.

    Agabi said the defence intends to make a no-case submission, in which it would argue among others, that the prosecution has not led sufficient evidence linking his client to the offences charged and warrant him being called to enter a defence.

    The defence will then pray the court to dismiss the charge and set the defendants free.

    The trial judge, Justice John Tsoho, directed the defence to file its no-case submission within 21 days.

    Justice Tsoho equally asked the prosecution to file its response within 21 days from the day it is served with the defendants’ no-case submission.

    He also directed that the defendants would have 14 days to further reply from the day they are served with the prosecution’s response to the no-case submission.

    The judge adjourned to October 4 for parties to adopt their written submissions for and against the no-case submission.

  • $2.1b arms cash: Govt files 14 fresh charges against Dasuki, others

    •Secondus, Anenih, Dokpesi, others listed as beneficiaries

    THE Federal Government has amended the $2.1 billion arms funds diversion charge against former  National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) and others.

    In the amended charge, the  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Uche Secondus, former Chairman Board of Trustees PDP Tony Anenih; former PDP spokesperson Olisa Metuh; Publisher of Thisday, Nduka Obaigbena; ex-Senate President Iyorchia Ayu and founder, DAAR Communications Raymond Dokpesi were listed as beneficiary of the fraud.

    Also listed are Mouftah Baba-Ahmed, Bello Abba Mohammed, Dr. Bello Mohammed, AVM M. N Umar and  Otunba Jonah Ogunniyi, among others.

    Apart from individuals, corporate organisations were also named as beneficiaries in the amended charge.

    They are AMP Solar Service, Afro-Arab Investment, Bam Project and Projecties Limited, Bob Oshodin Organisation Limited, WEHSAC Farms Limited, Wehsac Limited, Dimaris Mode Coolture Limited, First ARALAC Global Limited, Stellavera Development Limited, Jawaz Multi-purpose Venture Limited, Little Italy Global Services Limited, Belsha Nigeria Ltd and Syvan McNamara Limited among others.

    The amended charge was filed at the Abuja  Federal High Court, where the old one is pending.

    The amended charge of 32 count  will replace the earlier 18-counts filed against the defendants about three years ago.

    Another amendment of  the earlier charge is the removal of a former Director of Finance and Supply in the ONSA, Salisu Shuaib (who served while Dasuki was NSA) as a defendant in the case.

    The amended charge dated April 30, 2018 was signed by Mr. Chile Okoroma, Director of Legal Services with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The prosecution did not give any reason yesterday why it amended the charge and why the alteration was effected.

    The earlier charge filed in 2015 had Dasuki, Shuaib, Aminu Baba Kusa, Acacia Holding Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited as defendants.

    The amended charge, sighted yesterday, now has Dasuki, Aminu Baba Kusa, Acacia Holding Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited.

    Justice Baba-Yusuf has adjourned to May 17, for the re-arraignment of the defendants on the amended charge.

    At the beginning of proceedings yesterday, lead prosecution lawyer Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) informed the court about the amendment to the charge and urged the court to accept it.

    Jacobs said: “We have served them (the defendants) the additional documents and we have also filed an amended charge dated and filed April 30, 2018.

    “I urge my Lord to accept the amended charge and allow it”.

    Jacobs told the court that “one of the reasons for allowing it is that it tends to remove the second defendant and also there are additional counts to make them 32 counts”.

    Lawyer to Dasuki, Ahmed Raji (SAN), confirmed the receipt of the amended charge.

    He urged the court to graciously avail the first defendant more time to enable them study the additional counts.

    Raji said: “I confirm that around 5:30pm on Monday, my office was served. Yesterday, there was no work. So, this morning, my attention was brought to it.

    “I have not had the privilege of discussing the content with the first defendant. I scantily went through it and discovered that the counts are now almost double,” Raji said.

     

     

     

     

  • Dokpesi’s U.S. visa revoked over looters list

    •PDP chief sues minister for N5b

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Raymond Dokpesi’s United States (U.S.)visa has ben revoked because his name is on the looters list released by the Federal Government, the media mogul has said.

    He has sued Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who announced the list, seeking payment of N5billion damages.

    No date has been fixed for hearing the suit filed on Monday before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

    He is seeking N5billion damages for alleged defamation of character.

    Dokpesi said the defendants allegedly sent his name as a looter to the United States Embassy, which in turn notified him on March 16 that his visa had been revoked.

    The US Embassy, he said, told him it was because his name was among a looters list submitted to it by the Federal Government.

    The plaintiff said the publication of his name as a looter was malicious since he has not been convicted by any court of competent jurisdiction.

    Dokpesi prayed that the retraction and apology to him be published both in the social media and in newspaper and televisions stations.

    He is also praying for an order compelling the defendants, including Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN), to publish a full retraction of the defamatory publications and to apologise to him.

    In the suit by his lawyer Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Dokpesi is also praying for a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants or their agents from further making any defamatory publications against him, and N50million as cost of the action.

    The publications, he said, have prejudiced his constitutionally guaranteed rights to presumption of innocence until proven guilty, and that his right to fair hearing as enshrined in the Constitution has been blatantly violated.

    “The defendants’ defamatory publications are malicious and calculated to overreach and prejudice my fair trial and for purposes of stampeding and cowing the court to convict me at all cost by agreeing with the defendants’ skewed position,” the plaintiff said.

    Dokpesi said on March 30, the defendants allegedly defamed him by publishing his name as treasury looter in a news conference on the basis that he is on trial for allegedly receiving N2.2billion from the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

  • Dokpesi to Lai Mohammed: Retract calling me looter or face N5b lawsuit

    The chairman of DAAR communications, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, is demanding from Information Minister Lai Mohammed an immediate retraction of his inclusion on a list of alleged looters of public treasury.

    Dokpesi wants the retraction published in four newspapers and a payment of N500million “representing minimal damages.”

    He warns that failure by the minister to meet his demands will cause him to proceed to court to demand damages of N5billion.

    Dokpesi’s demands are contained in an April 4, 2018 letter to the Minister.

    It was signed by his lawyer, Dr. Mike Ozekhome.

    The letter was in response to the March 30,2018 press conference  by the minister in which he alleged that Dokpesi  took  N2.1 billion from the office of then National Security Adviser (NSA).

    Ozekhome said that contrary to the minister’s “derogatory, disparaging, mendacious and unrestrained defamatory statements, as published in various print, electronic and online media platforms, of and concerning our client, our client has never been associated with the looting of the public treasury.”

    He added:”before the court where he is currently standing trial on trumped up charges brought against him by your same federal government, he has categorically and unambiguously denied the said charges. At the ongoing trial which has been stalled serially by the federal government with series of requests for adjournment, our client has neither been found guilty nor convicted by the trial court or by any other court in Nigeria.

    “The brazen defamatory statements/ publications of alleged looting of the public treasury mentioned by you against our client are most damaging and clearly rubbish the hard-earned reputation of our client.”

    Our client has since received several and unending phone calls, mails and visits from relatives, friends, associates, as well as other well meaning Nigerians, who have ceaselessly called to express their shock over the vile allegations in the said publications.

    “Our client has suffered severe public odium, opprobrium, ridicule, psychological trauma, untold embarrassment and countless business losses consequent upon your reckless publication which has put him in bad light before reasonable members of the society.

    “Unless you carry out the above minimal demands immediately, to redress the incalculable damage done to our client’s [image], we shall, without any further communication from us, commence legal action against you to redress your unrestrained and unwarranted assault against our client’s hard earned image and reputation.

    “We shall, in such circumstances, be demanding for damages in the sum of N5 billion.”

  • Secondus, Metuh, Dokpesi, Jonathan’s ex- SSA are looters, says Lai Mohammed

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) launched into a fresh stand-off yesterday after Information and Culture Minister  Lai Mohammed named the PDP national chairman and four other members of the party as looters.

    Mohammed was reacting to Thursday’s statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr.Kola Ologbondiyan, challenging the federal government to name those who stole public funds under the last dispensation.

    Other ‘looters’ named by the Minister yesterday were the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr.Olisa Metuh; Dr. Raymond Dokpesi; former Presidential Senior Special Assistant, Dudafa Waripamo-Owei and Robert Azibaola, a cousin to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    But the PDP hit back immediately, dismissing government’s allegation as hollow and laughable.

    Ologbondiyan, PDP spokesman, asked the minister to name any of the party members that has been convicted of looting the treasury.

    Mohammed alleged that Secondus collected N200 million from the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA) while Metuh took N1.4 billion and Dr. Raymond Dokpesi collected N2.1 billion.

    Describing the PDP chieftains as hypocrites, the minister said that the Federal Government will continue to make references to the alleged looting, adding that the looters and their party were unpatriotic.

    Mohammed said: “The PDP has challenged us to name the looters under their watch. They said they did not loot the treasury.

    “I am sure they know that the treasury was looted dry under their watch, yet they decided to grandstand.

    “This shows the hollowness of their apology to Nigerians.

    “Let’s just give them a teaser with this list: The PDP Chairman Uche Secondus, on the 19th of February 2015, took N200 million only from the office of then NSA.

    “Then PDP Financial Secretary, on the 24th of Oct 2014, took N600 million only from the office of then NSA.

    “Then National Publicity Secretary Olisah Metuh is on trial for collecting N1.4 billion from the office of then NSA.

    “Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, Chairman of DAAR Communications, is on trial for taking N2.1 billion from the office of then NSA.

    “Former SSA to President Jonathan, Dudafa Waripamo-Owei, is on trial over N830 million kept in accounts of four different companies.

    “On Thursday, a Federal High Court ruled that former President Jonathan’s cousin, Robert Azibaola, has a case to answer for collecting $40 million from the office of then NSA.”

    The minister added: “This list is just a tip of the iceberg, and the PDP is aware of this.

    “We did not make these cases up. Many of these cases are in court and the records are available.

    “Some of the people on this list are seeking to plea bargain, and that is a fact.

    “We insist that Nigeria was looted blind under the watch of the PDP, and that the starting point in tendering an apology is for them to return the loot.

    “It’s like a robber admitting to stealing your car and apologising, but then saying he will keep the car anyway. It doesn’t work that way.

    “The PDP is a hypocrite. And that reminds me of what English writer William Hazlitt said: ‘’The only vice that cannot be forgiven is hypocrisy. The repentance of a hypocrite is itself hypocrisy.”

    “We will not stop talking about the massive looting by the PDP.

    “They brought Nigeria to this sorry pass. We are now looking around for loans to build infrastructure, and they ask us not to talk about it.

    “We will talk about it.”

    PDP fires back, lists cases of alleged looting under Buhari

    The PDP was quick in responding to the minister’s allegation yesterday.

    Ologbondiyan, speaking for the PDP in a statement, described the minister’s press conference as an extension of federal government’s media trial of PDP members.

    He challenged government to come up with the names of its members against whom the federal government has secured convictions.

    He said: “The list put forward by the Federal Government as purported looters amounts to a cheap blackmail as none of those listed has been indicted or convicted by any court of competent jurisdiction or any panel of enquiry in our country.

    “The list issued by the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, only goes to show that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency have no prove of corruption against the PDP.”

    The party said in its frenzy and desperation, the federal government even included names of individuals who are not standing trial or under investigation for any act of corruption, as well as those who are not even PDP members.

    “The Buhari-led Federal Government has manifested its frenzy by going after matters that are in court and in which none of the persons have been convicted, thus betraying their wickedness and desperation to mislead the public, the court and divert attention from the heavy looting involving their members,” Ologbondiyan said.

    “We are not in doubt that the individuals he has mentioned will take their legitimate stride and pursue appropriate action in the court.

    “However, attacks on individuals, who are members of our party, do not in any way detract from the fact that the PDP, as a political platform, is not a party of corruption.

    “It is unfortunate that the APC and its government under whose watch horrendous sleazes are happening on a daily basis and a government that has failed to fulfill the littlest of its campaign promises, can spend a wholesome three years

  • Atiku, Dokpesi congratulate Secondus

    Atiku, Dokpesi congratulate Secondus

    •Fani-Kayode makes case for peace

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and founder of Daar Communication Chief Raymond Dokpesi have congratulated Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus and other officials elected at the party’s just concluded national convention.

    Atiku, in a congratulatory message, described the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the enemy of Nigeria.

    He said it would take a united and coherent PDP to sack the APC government in 2019.

    The former vice president, in the statement released by his media office yesterday, said the immediate challenge before the PDP newly elected national officers was to run an all-inclusive administration, where the various interests within the party can find accommodation.

    He added that Nigerians are looking up to the PDP for unity in the party, “because it takes a united and coherent PDP to sack the APC government in 2019”.

    The statement said: “Our great party, the PDP, is, again, at the threshold of an historical moment. Just as we mobilised to put an end to prolonged military rule in 1999, the people of Nigeria at this moment look up to us to rescue the country from the mis-government of the APC.

    “Arising from our elective congress, there should be no victor and no vanquished. Our paramount attention should be focused at sacking a government that deceived the people of Nigeria into power by promising our youths three million jobs annually, only to deliver three million job losses annually; a government that is repeatedly living in denial of its commitment to restructuring. We must be united to take power back to where it belongs: the Nigerian people.

    “As members of the PDP, we must take pride in being able to hold a national convention and in so doing live up to the bill of being a truly democratic political party. Our major opponent has not been able to achieve this feat and I join millions of our party members to congratulate the Ahmed Makarfi-led national caretaker committee.

    “I understand that there are complaints and grievances from many of the co-contestants in the congress. I am aware that the PDP has a mechanism for addressing such complaints and it is important that such avenues of redress are made available for members to explore without let or hindrance.”

    Dokpesi, who contested the PDP National Chairmanship position and lost, congratulated the winner.

    Dokpesi, who had earlier faulted the process of the party’s National Convention held in Abuja on Saturday, declared that “the delegates have spoken”.

    He said: “I appreciate the delegates for voting at the convention and congratulate the newly elected National Working Committee of the PDP led by Secondus.

    “You will recall that I said that the PDP must be the ultimate winner at the end of the contest.

    “God bless the PDP. Congratulations PDP as I wish all our members the best of luck.”

    A former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode yesterday asked PDP leaders to sink their differences to support the newly-elected national chairman.

    He said the task ahead was to win 2019 general election.

    Fani-Kayode, who issued a statement in Abuja, said the PDP must be ready to fight for a greater cause.