A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday, December 10, adjourned the ruling on the bail application filed by media mogul, Raymond Dokpesi.
Raymond Dokpesi at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, December 10
Presiding over the case, Justice Gabriel Kolawole said the adjournment will give him time to make a good ruling.
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On commencement of the sitting, counsel to the defendant, Mike Ozekhome prayed the court to permit Dokpesi to sit down at the accused dock.
He continued by asking that his client be granted bail by the court based on self-recognition, adding that the court permits its indulgence with the exhibits marked A1 – A8 with an attached written address.
Ozekhome also said that there might be other charges in the future relating to the alleged Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) fraud.
In a very dramatic court session, Ozekhome added that his client has never been involved in any act of terrorism or killing of innocent Nigerians and will not jump bail as speculated by the prosecutor.
He noted that as the counsel to the defendant, himself and his team have been having difficulty on accessing Dokpesi who remains in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He also mentioned that attached with an affidavit is a wedding invitation for the traditional and white wedding ceremony of Dokpesi’s son on December 17 and 19.
One of Dokpesi’s sons was also seated on the last rows in the courtroom, although Naij.com could not ascertain at the time of filing this news if he is the one set to wed.
He said: “Because our criminal justice is acquisitorial and not inquisitorial,” seeking to shame the innocent and not the guilty.
He said that the applicant will not jump bail and that the essence of bail is to face trial.
“In fact my client want to show that he is not guilty and the best way prove his innocence,” Ozekhome said.
In his response, the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs said that looking at the nature of the offence against Dokpesi and its seriousness, it is obvious that the defendant will jump bail.
“My lord, the offenses listed here could lead to between five to seven years imprisonment and looking at the evidence available, that N2.1 billion was paid from the account of the NSA for a campaign in favour of the People’s Democratic Party for 2015 election,” Jacobs said.
He said that the money was meant to be used in the fight against insurgency.
Jacobs also said that his client is at a loss as to why the defendant denied having dealings with the former NSA Sambo Dasuki even when account details says otherwise.
He also told the court that the monies were transferred between January 22 and March 15, 2015 before the general elections.
But in his objection, the defence counsel said his colleague was diverting from the subject matter (bail application) into the trial issues.
Continuing and quoting Section 162 (1E), the prosecuting counsel said that investigations on the matter is ongoing, and granting Dokpesi bail will interfere with ongoing investigations.
He also denied that the defendant was never called by the chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu as claimed by his colleague.
Jacobs also objected that it will be wrong to grant bail to Dokpesi on medical grounds as all grounds pointed out by the defendant were fabricated.
He pointed out that the date of the defendant’s appointment with his doctor abroad, as attached with an affidavit, was only sent after an invitation by the commission on December 5, contrary to claims made by Dokpesi.
READ ALSO: Arms Deal Funds: FG Charges Dokpesi For Money Laundering
But in his reply, Ozekhome said on self-recognition, his client is being charged for bailable offences.
He also said that contrary to the points raised by Jacobs, the medical appointment was made on November 30 for December 4.
See more pictured below of Dokpesi at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday, December 10.
He said his client is expected to bring his urine samples for various laboratory investigations.
After all the drama, Kolawole adjourned the case to Monday, December 14.
The judge also ordered that the accused remain in the custody of the EFCC till the day of ruling.
See below more pictures of Dokpesi at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday, December 10:
Meanwhile, the Dokpesi family has stated clearly that the chairman of DAAR Communications, Raymond Dokpesi in no way had a deal with the embattled former Nigeria Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki over the $2.1 billion US Dollars Arms Deal Scandal.
Their stance was made known in a 10-point-statement released and signed by Raymond Dokpesi Jnr, where the family described the allegation as falsehood, stating that Dokpesi’s Daar investment and Holdings Company LTD, initiated a proposal to the former president Goodluck Jonathan proposing a Multi Media Strategic Development Support Project to promote and project the achievements and highlight the challenges of his government.
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