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Dokpesi To Remain In EFCC Custody, Bail Hearing Set For December 14th

December 10, 2015

Former AIT Chairman Raymond Dokpesi will remain in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) until December 14th as per the ruling of Justice Gabriel Kolawole, according to a recent statement issued by the EFCC.

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Justice Kolawole issued his ruling on Thursday, after hearing Mr. Dokpesi’s bail application, as well as the prosecution’s argument against the granting of bail to the former media mogul.

Mr. Dokpesi stands accused of 6 counts of money laundering and other financial crimes for his use of N2 billion for a media campaign on behalf of former President Goodluck Jonathan. The funds were received from the office of National Security Advisor (NSA) Sambo Dasuki, and supposed to fund the purchase of equipment and weapons for the fight against Boko Haram.

In an attempt to win his client bail, Mr. Dokpesi’s counsel, Mike Ozekhome, argued that his client’s actions “did not contribute to the insurgency...the only reason he [Dokpesi] is held in custody is because of the mere speculation of a future investigation which this honourable court cannot act on.”

However, the counsel for the prosecution, Rotimi Jacobs, argued that Mr. Dokpesi’s acts of corruption were too serious to allow him bail. Furthermore, Mr. Jacobs argued, Mr. Dokpesi’s initial denial of any involvement in the arms deal scandal indicated he was wholly untrustworthy.

After hearing both arguments Justice Kolawole ruled that he would need time to consider Mr. Dokpesi’s application and, therefore, set the hearing for his bail application for December 14th.