Tuesday, 15 December 2015

Dokpesi remanded in Kuje Prison

Dokpesi remanded in Kuje Prison
Chairman and Owner of AIT and DAAR Communication Plc Chief 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.

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.

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