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Tag: Raymond Dokpesi

  • PDP knocks Dokpesi, Secondus out of chairmanship race

    PDP knocks Dokpesi, Secondus out of chairmanship race

    … Zones position to Southwest

    The desire of media mogul, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, to lead the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to have been truncated by leaders of the party from the three geo-political zones in the south –Southwest, Southeast and Southsouth.

    PDP governors, National Assembly members, former ministers and other leaders from the south at a crucial meeting held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday, ahead of the August 17 national convention billed for the city opted to zone the post to the Southwest.

    Also out of the race is Uche Secondus, former acting national chairman of the PDP, who is from Rivers State.

    Dokpesi is from Edo State.  Both Edo and Rivers are part of the Southsouth geopolitical zone.

    Although Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who briefed journalists at the end of the meeting, said any party member willing to contest any position was free to do so, he was quick to advise party members to respect the zoning formula.

    Also zoned to the Southwest are the positions of national treasurer and deputy national publicity secretary.

    The party zoned the positions of first deputy national chairman, National Legal Adviser, Deputy National Women Leader and Deputy National Auditor to the Southsouth, while South-East got National Organising Secretary, National Youth Leader and Deputy National Financial Secretary.

    PDP stalwarts from the Southwest who have signified their intention to contest the PDP national chairmanship include former Chairman of the Nigerian Port Authority, Chief Bode George, and a former minister, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja.

  • APC persecuting Dokpesi for his unflinching support for PDP

    APC persecuting Dokpesi for his unflinching support for PDP

  • Again, prosecution’s absence stalls Dokpesi’s trial

    Again, prosecution’s absence stalls Dokpesi’s trial

    For the second time on two consecutive dates, proceedings were again stalled Wednesday before the Federal High Court, Abuja in the trial of businessman, Raymond Dokpesi owing to the absence of the prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN).

    Jacobs did not send any of his juniors, but instead, he sent a letter to the court, seeking an adjournment to the next day, a request the defence legal team led by Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) rejected.

    A similar incident occurred when the case last came up on April 28.

    Jacobs, who was then engaged in the trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), equally wrote to the court and sought a new date, following which the trial judge, Justice John Tsoho adjourned to June 15.

    When the case was called Wednesday, Dokpesi, dressed in all white outfit, stepped into the dock, following which Adedipe announced a long list of lawyers, including Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Dayo Akinlaja (SAN) for the defence.

    Justice Tsoho later asked Adedipe if he was aware of a letter written by the prosecution, requesting for an adjournment.

    Adedipe said Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who is leading the defence team told him about it.

    He later sought for a date in late October or early November to enable everybody settle down after the court’s forthcoming vacation and the International Bar Association (IBA) conference.

    He added that Dokpesi just return from a medical trip abroad and would be returning in 0ctober, which also informed his request for either late October or early November.

    When asked by the judge if he was aware that the prosecution suggested tomorrow, Adedipe said Olanipekun, who came to Abuja for the case on Tuesday, has returned to Lagos and would not be returning soon.

    Adedipe also told the court that when he called the prosecution lawyer yesterday, Jacobs could not confirm whether trial will commence in the case.

    He said Olanipekun requested for a fairly long date and that the defendant’s health was also an issue.

    Justice Tsoho adjourned to October 19 for the commencement of trial.

    Dokpesi and his firm, Daar Holding and Investment Limited were arraigned before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja on February 17 on a six-count charge bordering on alleged procurement fraud and breach of public trust to the tune of N2.1 billion.

    They were said to have received N2.1billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) between October 2014 and March 2015, which diverted to fund the presidential campaign of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), an act said to be a breach of provisions of the Public Procurement Act, Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.

    Jacobs is simultaneously prosecuting no fewer than eight cases cases on behalf of the Federa Government. His presence in one, in most instances, affects proceedings in the others, which are mostly slated for the same day.

    His absence in the Dokpesi case Wednesday was as a result of his engagement in the hearing of two appeals by Dasuki, before the Court of Appeal, Abuja division, which took place simultaneously with Dokpesi’s trial yesterday morning.

    His presence at the Court of Appeal Wednesday also stalled proceedings in the case involving ex-National Security Aviser (NSA), Smabo  Dasuki before Justice Husein Baba Yusuf, where he also wrote for adjournment.

    Jacobs is currently involved in the two cases involving Dasuki before Justices Baba-Yusuf and Peter Afen of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, Abuja and the trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    He is also involved in the trial of former Head of Service of the Federation (HOSF), Steve Oronsaye before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja; The trial of ex-Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh and trials of former governors of Abia, Plateau and Taraba states – Orji Kalu, Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame.

    While Kalu’s case is before Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Dariye and Nyame are being tried before Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the High Court of FCT in Gudu, Abuja.

  • Prosecution lawyer’s absence stalls Dokpesi’s trial

    Prosecution lawyer’s absence stalls Dokpesi’s trial

    … Suswam’s case stalled too

    The absence of prosecution lawyer on Thursday stalled proceedings in the trial of businessman, Raymond Dokpesi and his firm, Daar Holding and Investment Limited, at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Dokpesi and his firm were arraigned before the court on February 17 on a six- count charge bordering on alleged procurement fraud and breach of public trust to the tune of N2.1 billion.

    They were said to have received N2.1billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) between October 2014 and March 2015 and diverted the money to fund the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign.

    The court had on March 2 adjourned to Thursday for commencement of trial.

    However, it was only the defendants that were represented in court on Thursday.

    Lead defence lawyer, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), drew the court’s attention to a letter from the lead prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), where he sought for adjournment because he was handling a case at the Supreme Court.

    Olanipekun suggested that parties be allowed to return in June, following which the trial judge, Justice John Tsoho picked June 15 for commencement of trial.

    Also, proceedings in the case involving a former Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, were stalled due to the prosecution’s failure to notify the court of its intention to call a witness, who speaks Hausa.

     

  • Dokpesi: Court fixes April 28 for commencement of trial  

    Dokpesi: Court fixes April 28 for commencement of trial  

    A Federal High Court in Abuja Wednesday fixed April 28 for the commencement of trial in the case against businessman, Raymond Dokpesi and his company, Daar Investment and Holdings Limited.

    They were arraigned before the court on February 17 on a six count charge bordering on alleged procurement fraud and breach of public trust to the tune of N2.1 billion.

    They were said to have received N2.1billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) between October 2014 and March 2015, which was diverted to fund the presidential campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), an act said to be a breach of provisions of the Public Procurement Act, Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.

    Justice James Tsoho fixed the date Wednesday after lawyers to parties agreed to return on April 28 following their inability to agree on the need to allow the commencement of trial.

    When the case was called, lawyer to Dokpesi and his company, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) sought clarification from the judge on the position of the case in view of media reports, which quoted the judge as saying the case was assigned to him in error and that it had been sent back to the earlier trial judge.

    Justice Tsoho explained that although he learnt the case and other similar ones were sent to his court in error, he has now been allowed to continue to hear the Dokpesi case because “steps have been taken.”

    He said unlike the one involving former Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Steven Oronsaye, who had not been re-arraigned before him, steps have been taken in the Dokpesi case, where the defendants have been re-arraigned.

    Shortly after the judge’s explanation, prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) told the court he was ready for trial and that his first witness was in court. As he made move to invite the witness, Olanipekun sprang up, and queried the legitimacy of the additional proof of evidence just filed by the prosecution.

    He said the bundle of documents was not served on him on time and that it was not properly filed before the court because the prosecution did not first obtain the court’s permission to file additional proof.

    Olanipekun also complained about the quality of the documents, which were mainly written statements of additional witnesses to be called by the prosecution. He noted that copies of the states in the proof served on him were not legible.

    Responding, Jacobs insisted that the additional proof of evidence was properly filed as the prosecution, under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 is not required to first obtain the court’s permission before filing proof.

    “The ACJA, in section 379 and 380 have made provisions as to the filing of proof of evidence. In Section 379(2) the prosecution is given the discretion to file additional proof at any time before judgment, without constraints or inhibition. No leave is required

    “This provision is in line with the decision of the Supreme Court in Nguru and the State: 2007 3 NWLR part 771 page 304. The provision requires the prosecution to merely inform the court about the filing of the proof of evidence, but not to first seek the court’s leave,” Jacobs said.

    He however agreed to provide Olanipekun with more legible copies of the documents as requested.

    The judge, at that point asked parties to agree on a convenient date for the commencement of trial. They later agreed to return on April 28.

  • CJ reverses self in Oronsaye, Dokpesi’s trials

    CJ reverses self in Oronsaye, Dokpesi’s trials

    The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, has reversed his earlier decision to reassign the cases involving a former Head of the Service of the Federation, Steven Oronsaye and businessman, Raymond Dokpesi, to a new judge.

    Indication that Justice Auta has reversed his earlier decision emerged on Tuesday, when the new judge, to which the case was reassigned refused to take any step on the matter.

    Justice Auta had earlier this year reassigned the cases from Justice Gabriel Kolawole (before who Oronsaye and Dokpesi had been arraigned) to Justice James Tsoho, who was recently redeployed from the court’s Lagos division.

    Dokpesi and his company, Daar Investment and Holdings Limited were on February 17 re-arraigned before Justice Tsoho, who allowed them to remain on the bail earlier granted by Justice Kolawole.

    The parties were in court on Tuesday, hoping that Oronsaye and others persons involved in the case will be re-arraigned before the new judge.

    But when the case was called, Oronsaye and two other defendants – Osarenkhoe Afe and his company, Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited – were present in court.

    Oronsaye and Afe went straight into the dock when they were called by the court clerk.

    Prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), noted that other defendants in the case – Global Services Limited, Cluster Logistic Limited, Kangolo Dynamic Cleaning Limited and  Crew Investment and  Construction Company Limited – were not represented.

     

  • Alleged N2.1b fraud: Dokpesi rearraigned before new judge

    Alleged N2.1b fraud: Dokpesi rearraigned before new judge

    The Federal Government Wednesday re-arraigned the founder, African Independent Television (AIT), Raymond Dokpesi and his company – Daar Investment and Holdings Limited before a new judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Dokpesi and his company were arraigned on December 9 last year before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the same court, on a six count charge bordering on alleged procurement fraud and breach of public trust to the tune of N2.1 billion.

    They were said to have received N2.1billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, between October 2014 and March 2015, which was used for the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential media campaign, an offence in breach of provisions of the Public Procurement Act, Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act and the EFCC Establishment Act.

    One of the counts reads: “That you Dr. Raymond Dokpesi and Daar Investment and Holding Company Limited between October 2014 and March 19, 2015 in Abuja, 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 thesum of N2,120,000,000 from the account of the office of National Security Adviser (NSA) with the Central Bank of Nigeria for the funding of media activities for the 2015 presidential election campaign for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 58 (4) (b) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 58 (6) & (7) of the same Act”.

    Dokpesi, who answered to the charge for himself and his company, said they were both not guilty to the charge.

    Shortly after the arraignment, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) who led four other Senior Advocates and a retinue of lawyers for the defence, prayed the court to allow his client remain on the bail earlier granted him by Justice Kolawole.

    New trial judge, Justice James Tsoho agreed to Olanipekun’s request that the defendants remain on the bail earlier granted them.

    He adjourned to March 2 for the commencement of trial.

  • N150 billion libel suit: AIT apologises to Tinubu

    N150 billion libel suit: AIT apologises to Tinubu

    DAAR Communications, owned by Chief Raymond Dokpesi has tendered an unreserved apology to the national leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu over a documentary aired on African Independent Television (AIT) titled, “Lion of Bourdillon”

    ‎DAAR Communications also opted for an out of court settlement in a N150 billion libel suit filed against the company before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja.

    On another hand, Asiwaju Tinubu agreed has also accepted the apology tendered by DAAR Communications as settlement for the libellous documentary.

    Tinubu had instituted the N150 billion suit before the court against Daar Communications Plc, owners of AIT, for airing the documentary‎.

    He said the money represented aggravated and exemplary damages for the libelous documentary.

    He had alleged that the documentary, which started airing on March 1, 2015, was libelous and aimed at tarnishing his image.

    DAAR communications, as defendant/claimant, also filed a counter claim of N200 billion‎ as aggravated, punitive and exemplary damages against the claimant.

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

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

    “My lord, we have come to court today to embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Every war that is fought is always settled amicably on a roundtable.

    “Both parties have expressed their desire to settle amicably based on the terms of settlement which the My 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) also informed the court of his client’s willingness to settle out of court,

    “I align myself with the submissions and sentiments of my learned friend. I can also confirm that the term of settlement which was drawn up on the 29th of January has been accepted by both parties,” Olanipekun said.

    “I also want to appreciate my Lord for her patience all through the duration of the suit. I also appreciate the Claimant who magnanimously agreed to settle out of court,” Olanipekun said.

    The trial judge, Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe adopted the terms of settlement as judgement of the court having acknowledged that it has 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 titled, “Retraction and Apology by DAAR communications PLC to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinuby” circulated to journalists stated: “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 broadcast‎ 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,” the statement read.

  • FG investigating Dokpesi over fresh allegation – Jacobs

    FG investigating Dokpesi over fresh allegation – Jacobs

    The Federal Government is investigating businessman, Raymond Dokpesi in relation to allegation of his involvement in another fraud involving about N8billion, government’s lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) told a Federal High Court in Abuja Thursday.

    Jacobs said the Federal Government is about rounding off investigations into a fresh allegations of N8.4billion he collected from the Goodluck Jonathan administration for airing the FIFA  U17 championship which Nigeria hosted  in Jan 27, 2012.

    He stated that even though the airing right was granted DAAR communication by FIFA and without the Federal Government as a party to the contract, Dokpesi allegedly collected N8b from the Nigerian government for his execution of the contract.

    Jacobs made the disclosure while arguing the Fed Govt’s counter-affidavit against Dokpesi’s bail application.

    Dokpesi was arraigned with his company, Daar Investment and Holding Company Limited on Wednesday on a 6-count charge. He was accused of unlawfully receiving N2.1billion from former National Security Adviser (NSA), Mohammed Sambo Dasuki.

    He pleaded not guilty and applied for bail. Parties argued the bail application and the prosecution’s counter affidavit yesterday.

    Jacobs, while urging the court to reject Dokpesi’s application, argued that a bail to Dokpesi will prejudice investigation into the N8b deal.

  • FG charges Dokpesi with money laundering

    FG charges Dokpesi with money laundering

    The Federal Government Tuesday filed charges against businessman and media proprietor, Raymond Dokpesi before the Federal high Court, Abuja in relation to his alleged receipt of about N2.1billion in the from the last administration from funds meant for the purchase of arms.

    The Nation learnt that filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has six counts. It is marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/380/2015.

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

    They are accused of violating the Money Laundering Act, the EFCC Act and the Public Procurement Act. The charge is yet to be assigned to any judge for hearing.

    Dokpesi is the second person to be charged among some highly placed Nigerians accused of involvement in the mismanagement funds meant for the purchase of military wares under the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

    Already, a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Mohammed Dasuki is being tried before the Federal High Court, Abuja for illegal possession of firearms and money laundering.

    Dokpsi, who is currently 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 ofDecember 14.

    Ozekhome, who told journalists 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 had, in the application, prayed for an order compelling the respondent to produce the applicant who is presently in its custody or any other place of detention before this court on the date this application comes up for hearing.

    He also sought an order admitting the applicant to bail on self recognisance or on such favourable and liberal terms as this court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this case, pending the formal arraignment of the applicant before a court of law.

    He hinged his prayers on the ground that no formal charge has been brought against him, over 48 hours after his detention.

    The applicant said he went to honour a verbal invitation from officials of the 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, not to interfere with witnesses or the course of justice if any formal charge was 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.

    In a supporting affidavit, the applicant said he was arrested over his inability to honour an invitation by the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) inviting Daar Investment and Holding Limited (an arm of Daar Communications Ltd) “for discussion on the supply and services rendered to the Office of the NSA.”

    He stated that while he was yet to perfect the bail granted him by the EFCC “on the most onerous,” it went before a Magistrate’s Court to procure an order to legitimise and further detain him.