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Tag: Dokpesi

  • N150bn libel suit: Dokpesi apologises to Tinubu

    N150bn libel suit: Dokpesi apologises to Tinubu

    DAAR Communications, owned by Chief Raymond Dokpesi,yesterday   tendered an unreserved apology to the national leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu over  the controversial  documentary ‘Lion of Bourdillon’  aired on African Independent Television (AIT)  ahead of last year’s general elections.

    ýThe company  also  opted for an out of court settlement in a N150 billion  libel suit filed by Tinubu against him at  a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja.

    Asiwaju Tinubu accepted the apology  as settlement for the libellous documentary.

    Tinubu in filing the  N150 billion suit said the money represented aggravated and exemplary damages for the libellous documentary.

    He  said that  the documentary, which  first  airing on March 1, 2015, was aimed at tarnishing his image.

    DAAR communications  responded by filing  a counter claim of N200 billioný as aggravated, punitive and exemplary damages against the claimant.

    The matter which came before Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe was later referred to  ýAlternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in December last year.

    However,at the resumed proceedings yesterday, counsel to Dokpesi, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) informed the court of his client’s wish to embrace alternative dispute resolution.

    He said:” Every war that is fought is always settled amicably at  a roundtable.

    “Both parties have expressed their desire to settle amicably based on the terms of settlement which my Honourable Lord has been furnished with.

    “We reached the agreement to enable both parties to continue with the good relationship that they have always had. We have driven the devil away with a spiritual “Koboko”, Ozekhome told the court.

    Tinubu’s counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) spoke in the same vein.

    He said:”I align myself with the submissions and sentiments of my learned friend. I can also confirm that the terms of settlement which were  drawn up on the 29th of January have been accepted by both parties.”

    He express   appreciation to the Justice Akinkugbe for  ”her patience all through the duration of the suit” and to Tinubu “who magnanimously agreed to settle out of court.”

    Justice Akinkugbe adopted the terms of  settlement as judgement of the court having been filed before the court.

    The terms of agreement adopted as judgement of the court include a retraction of the broadcast by AIT, an apology by AIT which should be aired three times, once daily on AIT, and that the claimant and the defendant shall bear their respective costs in the suit.

    A copy of DAAR Communications apology letter entitled, “Retraction and Apology by DAAR communications PLC to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinuby” circulated to journalists reads: “Further to the terms of settlement in suit No: ID/196GCMW/2015 between Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and DAAR Communications Plc filed as a result of the broadcastý of a documentary titled, “Lion of Bourdillion” and which terms were adopted at the High Court of Lagos State on 5th February, 2016 as the judgement of the court, the defendant DAAR Communications Plc hereby retracts and apologises to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as follows:

    “Daar Communications Plc, acknowledges that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is an outstanding political leader of unblemished character and integrity, as well as a leading public figure and opinion moulder who has made and continues to make immense, colossal and gargantuan contributions to the progress and development of the nation in general and Lagos State in particular.

     “Daar Communication Plc admits that in airing the said documentary, it had no intention whatsoever to embarrass or diminish the  high reputation of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu which it respects and attests to.

    “Daar Communications Plc hereby makes a public and unequivocal retraction of the said documentary titled ‘Lion of Bourdilon’, which was broadcast on its television station, AIT.

    “Daar Communications Plc hereby tenders unreserved apology to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the broadcast of the documentary on its television station, AIT.

    “Daar Communications Plc prays that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will live long to make more enormous contributions to the advancement of our nation, Nigeria, Lagos State and the world at large.”

  • Dokpesi regains his voice and composure

    Dokpesi regains his voice and composure

    Owner of the African Independent Television (AIT), Raymond Dokpesi, has described Dasukigate (the $2.1bn arms scandal perpetrated by the Office of the National Security Adviser) as a hoax. And because many Peoples Democratic Party chieftains have been caught in its widening gyre, he says the anti-corruption war of the Buhari presidency has become an agenda to destroy PDP. On both counts he is wrong. While the financial and arms scandal may not amount to exactly $2.1bn as he argues, it is nonetheless real, and the sum paid Chief Dokpesi himself — over N2bn — may apparently be more substantial than the work it was allegedly meant for. More, the contract and the payment to Chief Dokpesi may also be procedurally defective. What is even more telling is that after holding office for 16 years, it is not surprising at all that nearly all the officials indicted in the many scandals being uncovered are members of the PDP.

    Chief Dokpesi is on bail, and has opted to be defiant. During his investiture as patron of the PDP Youth Vanguard last Wednesday, the AIT chairman emeritus drew a parallel between President Buhari’s current approach to governance and his style as military head of state in 1984/85. The PDP would be resolute and fight the attempt to decimate the new opposition, he added. The court battle ahead will no doubt be exciting and entertaining. On one side, the government will try to reduce the matter simply to one of financial crime; while indicted PDP chieftains will try to equate the trial with persecution and political oppression.

    Before the elections, most of the media never liked both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Buhari in particular. They will have even fewer reasons to like him now. But if his antecedents are anything to go by, President Buhari will pursue the anti-corruption war with single-minded resolve, not minding whatever dark hints anyone might give of a herculean fight shaping up in or out of the media and the courts.

     

  • $2.1bn arms scam a hoax – Dokpesi

    $2.1bn arms scam a hoax – Dokpesi

    The $2.1 billion arms purchase scandal currently being investigated by the security agencies is a hoax, the chairman of DAAR Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, has declared.

    Dokpesi is standing trial for allegedly collecting N2.1 billion of the cash from the erstwhile National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki. He is currently on bail.

    The DAAR Communications boss spoke at his Abuja residence during his investiture as Patron of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Youth Vanguard on Wednesday.

    He said, “I must hasten to assure you that there is nothing like the much flaunted $2.1 billion arms gate. The competent courts of our land would sooner or later prove this coinage aimed at decimating the leadership and membership of our great party to be nothing but a hoax.

    “It (arms scandal) does not exist. It’s a figment of the imagination of the present government. It’s about the persecution of Sambo Dasuki, Tony Anenih, Olisa Metuh and others. We will be made proud when we start our defence in court.”

    In apparent reference to the Buhari-Idiagbon military regime of 1984/85, Dokpesi continued, “Some of us are reminded of the events of 1984/85 which by any stretch of comparison are similar to the unfolding events today.

    “As I have said not too long ago, we must stand resolutely united, especially in the face of this momentary political adversity. For one thing, I say again that the PDP is not dead, is not dying and will not die.”

    He described free press as one of the important elements that help to check the monstrous power of the state, adding that DAAR Communications has from inception been at the fore front of the fight against impunity and promotion of democracy even from the military days.

    “We have weathered the storm of oppression, we have been vilified many times, we have also been persecuted in our constitutional duties to make government and its officials accountable to the Nigeria people but we never wavered.

    “During the infamous third time tenure elongation agenda, we dared to speak up, but speak up we did. We have always been on the part of human rights, citizen participation in the democratic process, transparency and accountability.

    “These ideals have not changed and will never change. I assure you ladies and gentlemen, the youth and vitality of this nation, our faith in Nigeria remains unshakable.

    “We will support any policy of government that seeks to promote the ideals of good governance. But we should also not be cowed to speak up where we disagree,” Dokpesi added.

    He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to impede the nation’s journey to political maturity through the manipulation of the federal system to serve purely partisan interests.

    According to him, the PDP was experiencing a massive persecution, political vendetta of the kind never before seen in the land and targeted at the leadership, membership and sympathizers of the opposition by the government of the day.

  • Dokpesi out on bail

    Dokpesi out on bail

    Founder of Daar Communications Plc Chief Raymond Dokpesi was yesterday released from Kuje Prison in Abuja after meeting the bail conditions. He spent three days in the prison.

    Dokpesi is standing trial for N2.1billion fraud in the arms scam investigation.

    The media chief’s lawyer Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), said last night that “High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi was released from Kuje Prisons to his counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), his son, Raymond (Jnr) and his wife Tosin, after fulfilling the bail conditions.”

  • Dokpesi remanded in Kuje Prison

    Dokpesi remanded in Kuje Prison

    FORMER DAAR Communication Plc Chairman Raymond Dokpesi yesterday arrived in Kuje Prison ahead of the perfection of his bail terms.

    He was shielded from anxious inmates at the facility by warders.

    According to a source, Dokpesi was brought to the prison at about 4.55pm and immediately taken to the Prison Chief’s office.

    The source said: “We have received Dokpesi in Kuje Prison and perfected his records before allocating him a cell.

    “Upon sighting Dokpesi, most of the inmates who were abreast of the ongoing anti-corruption trials, were anxious to see him.

    “But we decided to keep him in the office of the Officer-In-Charge to avoid being hurt by some inmates. Warders succeeded in shielding him from inmates.”

    The source described Dokpesi as “certainly moody”.

    Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja yesterday ordered that Dokpesi should submit his international passport or any other international document that could enable him travel out of the country.

    He also said the accused person should be remanded in Kuje Prison pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.

    The judge  granted Dokpesi bail in the sum of  N200m with two sureties in like sum.

    He said: “One of 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.”

    The judge said one of the sureties must be a serving or retired civil servant of the rank of a director in either the federal or state civil service.

    If retired, the surety must show a retirement letter indicating the organisation where he or she had served.

    Justice Kolawole also said the second surety must be a private entrepreneur with evidence of three years tax clearance certificate and a verifiable landed property worth N200 million.

    He said the sureties must sign an undertaking of forfeiture of the property to the Federal Government, in the event that the defendant did not make himself available for trial.

    Justice Kolawole also directed that Dokpesi should not be arrested by any government agency for any investigation.

    He said if any government agency wanted further investigation on the case, it should approach the defendant’s lawyers to make him available.

    Dokpesi, who was arraigned alongside his company, DAAR Investment and Holdings Limited on Wednesday, 9 December 2015, pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge bordering on alleged procurement fraud and breach of public trust preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC).

    Moving his application for bail at the last sitting, his defence counsel, Mike Ozekhome(SAN),  urged the court to grant the accused person bail on self-recognition.

    Ozekhome said:  “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 alleged offence is bailable. My Lord, the accused will not jump bail, as he has families and dependants. “

    Opposing the bail application, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs(SAN), said : “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 a person cannot be granted bail, as this is coming when the country is trying to change its corruption rating in the international community.”

    The case was adjourned till February 17, next year for trial.

     

  • N2.1bn alleged fraud: Court grants Dokpesi bail

    N2.1bn alleged fraud: Court grants Dokpesi bail

    A Federal High Court Abuja on Monday granted bail to former Chairman of African Independent Television (AIT) Raymond Dokpesi, who is standing trial over alleged N2.1bn fraud.

    In a ruling of the court, Justice Gabriel Kolawole granted bail to Dokpesi in the sum of N400 million and two sureties in like sum.

    He said that each surety must have a landed property worth N200 million each.

    Kolawole said that one of the sureties must be a serving or retired civil servant of the rank of a director in either the federal or state civil service.

    He said, if retired, the surety must show a retirement letter indicating the organisation where he or she had served.

    Kolawole also said that the second surety must be a private entrepreneur with evidence of three years tax clearance certificate and a verifiable landed property worth N200 million.

    He said the sureties must sign an undertaking of forfeiture of the property to the Federal Government, in the event that the defendant did not make himself available for trial.

    The judge ordered that the international passport of the defendant should be deposited with the registrar of the court.

    He said failure to perfect the bail conditions, the defendant should be remanded in Kuje prison pending the time all the conditions would be met.

    He also directed that Dokpesi should not be arrested by any government agency for any investigation.

    He said that if any government agency wanted further investigation on the case, it should approach the defendant’s lawyers to make him available.

    Dokpesi is standing trial alongside his company, DAAR Investment and Holdings Ltd, on a six-count-charge bordering on money laundering and contract fraud to the tune of N2.1billion.

  • Court orders detention of Dokpesi in EFCC custody

    Court orders detention of Dokpesi in EFCC custody

    A Federal High Court, Abuja has again, ordered that Raymond Dokpesi be detained in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) pending ruling in his bail application on December 14.

    Dokpesi, the former chairman of DAAR Investment and Holdings Ltd., is standing trial on a six-count-charge bordering on money laundering and contract fraud to the tune of N2.1billion.

    Justice Gabriel Kolawole gave the order for the remand of the defendant, after lawyers in the trial had argued for and against his bail application.

    “The court cannot deliver ruling immediately because all the processes filed by the parties are not before the court.

    “I will need time to assimilate all the facts and the authorities cited by both counsel to the prosecution and the defense,’’ he said.

    Earlier, Dokpesi’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), had urged the court to grant bail to his client on self recognition or on liberal terms.

    Ozekhome argued that section 128 and 129 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 stipulates that the offences on money laundering and contract are bailable.

    The lawyer said that Dokpesi was billed to travel abroad for medical treatment when EFCC invited him.

    He added that the medical appointment letter and the entire travelling documents were attached to the application.

    He said that his client would have proceeded on the medical trip abroad but for the invitation of the EFCC.

    Ozekhome argued that health related issues were enough reason for the court to exercise its discretion in favour of his client.

    He said that the defendant had families and businesses in Nigeria and would have no reason to jump bail if granted.

    Opposing the application, EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) said that the offences the respondent was charged for were not bailable.

    “For court to grant a bail, it has to look at the nature of the charges preferred against a defendant.

    “One of the charges the applicant is standing trial for carries five years to seven years imprisonment.

    “Looking at the evidence available, N2.1 billion was fraudulently paid to the defendant from funds meant for fighting insurgency.

    “We all know that many people have lost their lives to insurgency because of corruption in high places.

    “Therefore, the charges against the defendant are more of a capital offence.

    “A cursory look at the medical appointment letter relied upon by the applicant shows that it was acquired for the purpose of this trial.

    “Besides, the applicant did not disclose the nature of the sickness he is going abroad to treat.

    “I therefore urged My Lord to dismiss the application of the defendant for lacking in merit,’’ he said.

    Jacobs also argued that granting the defendant bail would prejudice investigation by the prosecution

  • Dokpesi arraigned for allegedly accepting N2.12b from Dasuki

    Dokpesi arraigned for allegedly accepting N2.12b from Dasuki

    Businessman Raymond Dokpesi was yesterday arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on a six-count charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Dokpesi and his company, Daar Investment and Holding Company Limited, were charged with breaching Public Procurement Act (PPA), engaging in money laundering and violating the EFCC Act by accepting proceeds of crime.

    They were accused of accepting N2,120,000,000 from former National Security Adviser (NSA), Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, for the last presidential campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) without going through due process as required under the PPA.

    Dokpesi, dressed casually in a shirt and pair of trousers, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him by a court official.

    When asked if he understood the charge, Dokpesi, who stood in the dock all through the proceedings, said he understood all the counts, but that they are all falsehood.

    He even added an element of humour to the proceedings when rather than just pleading “not guilty” after a count was read to him, Dokpesi chose to plead by saying “absolutely not guilty”. In an instance, he went further to spell the words “not guilty”.

    While pleading to count one, he said: “I am absolutely not guilty.” He proceeded to mention each letter of the words “not guilty”. And at a point, he repeated “not guilty” three times, saying it was for emphasis, to which everyone in court laughed.

    After his plea was taken, the lead prosecution, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) applied for a day for the commencement of trial. He said his five witnesses were ready.

    Dokpesi’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, who was accompanied by Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) urged the court to hear Dokpesi’s bail application which he filed yesterday.

    Justice Gabriel Kolawole elected to hear the bail application today at 12.30 pm to enable the prosecution file his response to the application. He ordered that Dokpesi be remanded in the custody of the EFCC, where his lawyer said he had been kept for some days now.

    They were in Count one alleged to have “conducted procurement fraud by means of fraudulent and corrupt act, to wit: receipt of payment into the account of Daar Investment and Holding Company Limited with First Bank of Nigeria Plc, of public funds in the sum of N2,120,000,000 from the account of the office of National Security Adviser with the Central Bank of Nigeria for the funding of media activities for the 2015 presidential election for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”

    In Count two, they were said to have “entered into a purported contract on presidential media initiative and received payment in the sum of N2,120, 000, 000 into the account of Daar Investment and Holding Company Limited with First Bank of Nigeria Plc from the account of the office of the National Security Adviser with the Central Bank of Nigeria on the account of the purported contract without a ‘Certificate of no objection to the contract award,’ duly issued by the Public Procurement Bureau.”

    They were, in Count three, said to have “entered into a purported contract on presidential media initiative and received, 2,120,000,000 into the account of Daar Investment and Holding Company Limited with First Bank of Nigeria Plc from the account of the National Security Adviser with the Central Bank of Nigeria on account of the purported contract, without any open competitive bidding for the said contract.”

    In count four, they were said to have “submitted a proposal for the contract on presidential media initiative and received payment in the sum of N2,120,000,000 into the account of Daar Investment and Holding Company Limited with First Bank of Nigeria Plc from the account of the office of National Security Adviser with the Central Bank of Nigeria on account of the purported contract, without a written and comprehensive request to you by the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

    They, in count five, allegedly “took control of N2,120,000,000 paid into the account of Daar Investment and Holding Limited with First Bank of Nigeria Plc from the account of the office of the National Security Adviser with the Central Bank of Nigeria, which sum you reasonably ought to have known was a proceed of an unlawful act, to wit: fund obtained from corruption.”

    Dokpesi and his company, Count six said, “knew that an aggregate sum of N2,120,000,000 directly represented the proceed of criminal conduct Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and Shuaibu Salisu, who were National Security Adviser and Director of Finance, Office of the National Security Adviser respectively, to wit: criminal breach of trust in respect of the said amount, used the said property.”

    According to the prosecutor, the offences captured in counts 1, 2, 3 and 4 are said to be contrary to sections 58(4)(b);16(1)(b), (4) & (5); 16((1)(c) & (d) & 45(3) and 46 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 58(6) &(7) of the same Act.

    The offence in Count 5 is said to be contrary to Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act and punishable under Section 15(3) and (4) of the same Act. The offence in Count 6 is said to be punishable under Section 17(b) of the EFCC Act.

  • $2b arms scam: Dokpesi arraigned, remanded in EFCC custody

    $2b arms scam: Dokpesi arraigned, remanded in EFCC custody

    The Chairman of Daar Communications, Raymond Dokpesi, was arraigned on Wednesday morning before a Federal High Court in Abuja on the six-count charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Dokpesi, who dressed casually in a shirt and pair of trousers, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The media owner said he understood all the charges, adding they are all falsehood.

    The prosecution team said it will call five witnesses in the trial.

  • $2b arms deals: All set for Dasuki’s, Dokpesi’s trial

    $2b arms deals: All set for Dasuki’s, Dokpesi’s trial

    EFCC charges ex-NSA, AIT chair, Bafarawa, others to court

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday filed money laundering charges, among others, against businessman Dr. Raymond Dokpesi.

    Also charged before the Federal High Court are: Former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki, former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, former Minister of State for Finance Bashir Yuguda and former Director of Finance, Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA), Shaibu Salisu.

    The detained suspects were yesterday served copies of the charges, The Nation learnt.

    Some of the suspects were meeting last night with their counsel, an indication that they might be arraigned today or before the weekend.

    In the suit, which is yet to be assigned to a judge, Dokpesi is slammed with six counts, according to court sources.

    The AIT/Ray Power chairman admitted collecting N2.1billion from the office of the NSA. The money, he said, is for media services.

    Dokpesi is charged along with his company – Daar Holdings and Investment Limited.

    They are accused of violating the Money Laundering Act, the EFCC Act and the Public Procurement Act.

    Dasuki, who is charged along with the others, is already standing trial before the Federal High Court, Abuja for alleged illegal possession of firearms and money laundering.

    There were strong indications yesterday that the accounts of most of the suspects had been frozen.

    According to an EFCC source, who spoke in confidence, filing the charges “is a demonstration of our commitment to the rule of law”.

    He said the EFCC would not want to detain all the suspects for long “because they are overstretching our facilities”.

    “Their fate will now be determined by the court. It is the court that will decide whether they should be granted bail or be remanded in prison custody,” the source added.

    The investigation of the $2.1 billion arms deals will continue in spite of filing of charges, it was learnt.

    Although  the details of the charges were not released last night, it was learnt that the EFCC chose to beat most of the suspects to their game.

    “These suspects were already plotting to go to a High Court to quash the detention warrant issued by a Chief Magistrate’s Court against them.

    “We have to move faster to checkmate plans to stop their trial.”

    When contacted last night, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), who is one of the  counsel to the former National Security Adviser, Mr. Sambo Dasuki said: “My client has been served with the charges preferred against him. I am now studying them with his team of lawyers in preparation for the arraignment.”

    It was gathered that the charges against Dasuki and others border on misapplication and stealing of funds.

    Most of the accounts of the high-profile suspects have been frozen by the EFCC. None of the suspects has access to their accounts. We have placed Post No Bill (PNB) on their accounts until the court takes a decision.

    “Their international passports are also with us to restrict their movement to the country pending the time the court will decide as may be appropriate.”

    Dokepsi, who is on bail from the EFCC, was last Friday ordered to be produced by Justice Gabriel Kolawole (also of the Federal High Court, Abuja).

    The order followed an ex-parte application by Dokpesi, who claimed to have been unlawfully detained beyond 48 hours by the EFCC. The judge, who heard Dokpesi’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) in chambers, ordered the EFCC to produce Dokpesi before his court on the next hearing date of December 14.

    Ozekhome, who told reporters what happened in the judge’s chambers, said the judge also ordered the EFCC to show cause why he should not grant Dokpesi’s prayer for unconditional or conditional bail.

    Dokpesi hinged his prayers on the grounds that no formal charge had been brought against him, over 48 hours after his detention.

    The applicant said he went to honour a verbal invitation from EFCC on December 1 and had been detained since then after subjecting him to hours of “unprepared interrogation”.

    He argued that the offences alleged against him “are ordinarily bailable”. He promised not to jump bail and not to interfere with witnesses or the course of justice if any formal charge is filed against him.

    Dokpesi said with his social status, the court could grant him bail on liberal terms. Or on self recognisance as he has no criminal antecedents or record. He promised to attend court if eventually he is formally arraigned.