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  • Immigration lied against me – Dokpesi

    Immigration lied against me – Dokpesi

    The controversy surrounding the detention of High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi by the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, when he returned from a medical trip to Dubai has taken a new dramatic turn with Chief Dokpesi accusing the NIS of deliberately lying against him.

    He is also consulting a team of lawyers led by Chief Kanu Aganbi to take up the matter in court to enforce his right.

    Recall that NIS had reacted to the negative publicity generated by its arrest of Chief Dokpesi, who has had to undergo several surgeries in Dubai, accusing him of sneaking in and out of the country.

    Providing his passport which showed evidence of NIS exit and entry stamps and Emirates Airline tickets, Chief Dokpesi expresses shock that it is either the Immigration service into which billions of Naira has been pumped to modernize it does not keep records or it is blatantly lying against him on the prompting of the powers that be.

    Chief Dokpesi who secured a court order to release his passport to enable him travel when cancer cells were discovered in his blood cells last November presented page eight of his passport where NIS exit stamps in November and March; and re-entry stamps, were clearly shown.

    The Daar Communication chairman who was summoned for questioning at the offices of the NIS on 27th March also expressed surprise that the officers who interacted with him were asking “very funny questions.” According to him the officer wanted to know who he met with in his first and second trips and why he had two valid Nigerian passports when the first one had not expired even though the officer is aware that his first passport was full and a new one was reissued from the comptroller general’s office. (See full interview)

  • Dokpesi opens up on ‘arrest’ by Immigration

    The founder of Daar Communications PLC, Raymond Dokpesi, on Wednesday said he was invited by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on issues related to his international passport.

    Mr Dokpesi speaking with journalists at the gate of the Immigration Head office in Abuja, shortly after an interrogation that lasted for about two hours, said that the Service wanted him to leave his passport with them.

    He recalled that on his return to Nigeria on March 25 from a medical trip, immigration officers invited him on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport and he was with them for about 50 tminutes, before he was allowed to leave.

    Mr Dokpesi said that the officer handed back his passport to him with an instruction that they would reach him subsequently.

    “On Monday, I received new information and in line with the normal process, I returned my passport to the Federal High Court since I travelled under a judicial approval or permission.

    “So, I returned my passport that I have gone and came back and gave notice that I might have to go for a medical checkup so that they will ensure that my medical operation was successful and that all the organs and everything are properly healed.

    “When I got the (NIS) letter yesterday, (Tuesday) March 26, I replied that same yesterday 26 notifying them that I have returned the passport to the Federal High Court and that it has been duly acknowledged and added all the necessary information.”

    Mr Dokpesi said that the officers who interrogated him however said that the service had expected him to go to the court and obtained the passport with their letter of invitation.

    He said that he totally defer himself from that line of thought.

    “I have returned, I got the passport from the Federal High Court, I have returned the passport to the Federal High Court.

    “If the immigration service, with the instruction from above requires my passport, then write directly to the federal high court and request for the passport.

    “I stood my ground and said, well I am a Nigerian citizen, I have travelled out for my medical treatment.

    “I am back to the country and I voluntarily came back and have handed over my passport to the appropriate authority.

    “They were telling me that passport was a property of the federal government and federal government has a right to withdraw it at any time,’’ he said.

    Mr Dokpesi said while agreeing that passport was a property of the federal government and it has the right to withdraw, he believed that he was also a citizen and judicial process and rule of law should be followed in doing so.

    Asked if the issue has been resolved, Mr Dokpesi said he was told that he could be invited again if the need arises.

    Speaking earlier with journalists, the NIS Public Relations Officer, James Abraham, said that Mr Dokpesi was invited for official-related issues and he had been released. “But I can’t discuss the issues with you now.”

    Asked if the invitation has anything to do with Mr Dokpesi’s legal battles, Mr Abraham said that Mr Dokpesi was a high-profile individual and until his investigation was concluded the matter could not be disclosed.

    “Immigration is just doing its official assignment and when it is due for the public to know the outcome, they will know,’’ he said.

    Mr Abraham said that all Nigerians were treated the same way, with high standards particularly when it is related with the operation of the Immigration service.

    “We don’t undermine human rights and we don’t undermine the standard of practice. Every person that is treated by the NIS is treated with the best practice.”

    On whether Mr Dokpesi would still be invited, Mr Abraham said “If there is any need to invite him again, why not?”

    Mr Dokpesi is standing trial for alleged involvement in the diversion of N2.1 billion security funds by Sambo Dasuki, former National Security Adviser.

  • Looters’ list not a violation of your rights, Court tells Dokpesi

    Looters’ list not a violation of your rights, Court tells Dokpesi

    The federal capital territory (FCT) high court sitting in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, has declared that the looters’ list released by the minister of information, Lai Mohammed, is not a violation of the rights of those named.
    In a ruling on Tuesday, the presiding judge, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, said the suit filed by Raymond Dokpesi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lacked merit.
    TheNewsGuru, TNG recalls that the media entrepreneur had filed a suit against the federal government for abusing his fundamental human rights with the inclusion of his name in the looters’ list where he was accused to have illegally received N2.1billion from the treasury.
    Dokpesi, in a pre-litigation letter dated April 4, 2018, had demanded a public apology and a payment of N500 million from Mohammed for defaming him.
    Justice Adeniyi said the disclosure of the alleged looters’ list by the minister on behalf of the federal government does not carry any force of law as the minister is neither the judge or the prosecutor in the criminal case pending before the federal high court against Dokpesi.
    The judge advised Dokpesi to rather seek a remedy through a libel/slander suit if he feels injured by the action of the minister.
    Justice Adeniyi adjourned the libel suit filed by Dokpesi against the minister till November 9.

  • Alleged N2.1bn fraud: Direct your probe at Jonathan, Dasuki – Dokpesi tells EFCC

    Alleged N2.1bn fraud: Direct your probe at Jonathan, Dasuki – Dokpesi tells EFCC

    …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.
    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.

  • Dokpesi paid me N68m to renovate country home, build studios, witness tells court

    Dokpesi paid me N68m to renovate country home, build studios, witness tells court

    Mr Ayobami Oluwarinu, a witness in the ongoing trial of former DAAR Communications Chairman, Mr Raymond Dokpesi told the Federal High Court, Abuja, that he received about N68 million for renovation and building work.

    Oluwarinu, the 13th prosecution witness, told the court on Wednesday while being led in evidence by the prosecutor, Mr Oluwaleke Atolagbe that he was a Lagos based architect hired by Dokpesi.

    He further told the court that he became aware of the case after receiving a call from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to clarify what the monies paid into his company’s account were meant for.

    “I got a call from EFCC that I should come to the Abuja office and clarify the transactions that took place between my companies and DAAR Investment Ltd., which led to the transfers to my account.”

    The bank document which showed the transactions was tendered before the court by the prosecutor.

    The witness confirmed that monies were transferred on six different dates into the accounts of two of his companies, Archisynthesis Ltd. and Wood Country Investment Ltd.

    “On Jan. 26, 2015, the sum of N16.1 million was paid into Archisynthesis account from DAAR Investment and Holding Company Ltd, on Jan. 29, 2015, N3.5 million was paid.

    “On Feb. 6, 2015, N3.53 million was paid into Archisynthesis account, just as on 17, N13.34million was paid to Archisynthesis account on Feb. 17, 2015.

    “Also, N12.25 million was paid on March 28, 2015 and N19.47 million was transferred to Wood country’s account on April 22, 2015,” the witness said.

    He said that Archisynthesis was a design and building firm, while Wood Country Investment Ltd. was into general business and supplies.

    He added that the monies were for design, construction and renovation works at Dokpesi’s country home at Aghenegbode in Edo and DAAR Communications studios nationwide.

    “One of the studios work is at Kpaduma Asokoro Abuja, others are located across the country, because I’m his sole architect,” the witness said.

    When asked if there was documented evidence for the contract to build and renovate, Oluwarinu said that he had worked for Dokpesi since 1993 and documentation had never been an issue.

    “I cannot recall whether we had an oral or written agreement for the jobs because my relationship with him is cordial and I have worked for him since 1993.”

    During cross examination, the witness told Mr Kanu Agabi, (SAN), that he had worked for Dokpesi since 1993 because of his integrity and forthrightness.

    Earlier, Dokpesi was re-arraigned on a seven-count amended charge for allegedly receiving N2.1 billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser without executing any contract.

    He pleaded not guilty to the amended seven-count charge.

    The judge, Justice John Tsoho adjourned the matter until May 28, for continuation of trial.

    Dokpesi and his company, DAAR Investment Company Ltd. were initially arraigned on Dec. 9, 2015 before Justice Gabriel Kolawole on a six-count charge bordering on money laundering and procurement fraud.

    The matter was transferred to Justice John Tsoho, where they were re-arraigned on Feb. 17, 2016 over allegations of money laundering and breach of public trust.

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

    PDP chieftain, Dokpesi’s U.S. visa revoked over looters list

    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).

  • Dasukigate: Dokpesi did not execute any project for N2.1bn received – Witness

    Dasukigate: Dokpesi did not execute any project for N2.1bn received – Witness

    The trial of a former Chairman, DAAR Communications Plc, Raymond Dokpesi, continued on Friday before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with Abubakar Madaki, the twelfth prosecution witness (PW12), revealing how the defendant received funds from the Office of National Security Adviser, under the leadership of Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), for services not rendered.

    Under cross-examination by Kanu Agabi, counsel for Mr. Dokpesi, the EFCC operative, stressed that the defendant “did not do any contract but was paid”.

    “This was what led to his prosecution, and the funds involved is N2.120 billion, which went out from the national security account,” he said.

    Mr. Madaki, who told the court that he never at anytime saw the budget of the NSA as he was not asked to investigate it, noted that funds which in the account, “were there for purposes and some of the beneficiaries of the said money, did genuine contracts and got paid”.

    “Dokpesi did not do any contract, but was paid,” he added.

    He said: “The funds were found in his account and there was no reason for it. No services rendered. The funds have a purpose. Other beneficiaries did genuine contracts and got paid, but the two defendants (Dokpesi and DAAR Investment and Holdings Ltd) here did not do any contract to be paid for”.

    Mr. Dokpesi alongside DAAR Investment and Holdings Ltd, owners of African Independent Television, AIT, and Raypower are being prosecuted by the EFCC, on a six-count charge bordering on alleged procurement fraud and breach of public trust.

    He is alleged 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.

    Justice Tsoho, thereafter adjourned to April 13, 2018 for “continuation of cross-examination”.

  • Alleged N2.1bn fraud: Court adjourns Dokpesi’s trial till February 6

    Alleged N2.1bn fraud: Court adjourns Dokpesi’s trial till February 6

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, has adjourned until Feb. 6, the trial of erstwhile Chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, Raymond Dokpesi, over alleged N2.1bn fraud.

    Justice John Tsoho fixed the date after the 11th prosecution witness, Mr Gabriel Agorye, testified on Friday.

    Agorye, led in evidence by Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the prosecuting counsel, said that he withdrew N40m for Dokpesi from his First Bank account.

    Agorye also told the court that he was Dokpesi’s personal assistant and ran errands for him.

    The witness also said that some monies were paid into his personal account which he withdrew and gave to his boss.

    Under cross-examination by Mr Kanu Agabi (SAN), the witness told the court that he did not know the source of the monies that he withdrew for Dokpesi’s from his account.

    He added that he did not know if the money was proceeds of an illegitimate transaction.

    “I cannot say that the source of the money was illegitimate, and I do not know the uses to which the monies were put to,” the witness said.

    Justice Tsoho discharged the witness and adjourned the matter until Feb. 6 and 7 for the continuation of trial.

    Dokpesi is being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissions over alleged N2.1bn fraud.

  • Dokpesi, Adeniran reject outcome of PDP convention

    Two national chairmanship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Raymond Dokpesi and Prof. Tunde Adeniran, have rejected the outcome of the party’s national convention and the process that led to the emergence of key officers.

    The candidates announced their positions in separate interviews with newsmen at the Eagle Square venue of the convention on Saturday in Abuja.

    Dokpesi, founder of Daar Communications, said he rejected the outcome of the elections following alleged distribution of a “so-called unity list” to delegates, describing it as a charade that may destroy the party.

    He said that the process of voting had been rigged following the distribution of the list, which contained names of candidates believed to have won elections into various positions in the party at the convention.

    He explained that the 21 names of candidates contained in the list appeared on the ballot papers as number one and in the voting boots as number one.

    Dokpesi said that complaints were lodged to the Chairman of the Convention Electoral Committee, Mr Gabriel Suswam, who confirmed that he had seen the list with some delegates but that he was overwhelmed.

    He said it was unfortunate that a party which was just getting out of a major leadership crisis would be involved in acts of impunity and election malpractice.

    He called on the party leadership to urgently rectify the anomaly before it became another major challenge in the party ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Similarly, Taiwo Akeju, Director, Media and Publicity of the Adeniran Campaign Organisation, called for the cancellation of the entire exercise.

    He accused Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers and his Ekiti counterpart, Ayodele Fayose, of being the masterminds of the unity list distributed to the delegates.

    “We reject the entire electoral process. The election has been grossly compromised to achieve a predetermined end.

    “The illegal unity list is prepared by governors Wike and Fayose to foist on the entire delegates” he said.

    Akeju, however, called on the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the party to takeover the affairs of the party until proper election would be conducted since the National Caretaker Committee has been dissolved.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rejection of the unity list by the frontline chairmanship candidates was done before the final collation of the elections results.

  • Again, Dokpesi denies backing out of PDP chairmanship race

    Again, Dokpesi denies backing out of PDP chairmanship race

    A national chairmanship aspirant in Saturday’s national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, Raymond Dokpesi, has debunked report making the rounds that he had dropped out of the race.

    Baba Kachalla, Director-General of Dokpesi Campaign Organisation, made this known in a news conference on Friday in Abuja. Kachalla said the report was untrue and mischievous, adding that he will not step down from the race for any reason.

    He alleged that some PDP members were determined to sabotage and inflict damages on the well-organised and victory-bound aspiration of Dokpesi. Kachalla said that Dokpesi was not afraid to be defeated on the convention floor if the elections are free, fair and adjudged credible.

    He stated that Dokpesi did not meet with some aspirants and agreed to step down. Kachalla said that the candidate had not met or discussed with anyone on the matter.

    Recall that a frontline contender, Chief Olabode George on Friday evening dropped out of the race, while Jimi Agbaje and Dokpesi were tipped to have also stepped down.