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Witnesses testify how Raymond Dokpesi allegedly spent N2.1 billion from NSA

By Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Abuja
20 October 2017   |   4:22 am
Two prosecution witnesses yesterday testified in the alleged N2.1 billion trial involving the founder of African Independent Television (AIT), Dr. Raymond Dokpesi.

Dokpesi

Two prosecution witnesses yesterday testified in the alleged N2.1 billion trial involving the founder of African Independent Television (AIT), Dr. Raymond Dokpesi.

The money was alleged to have been given to the defendant by the Office of the then National Security Adviser (ONSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki.

The witnesses, who testified before the Federal High Court, Abuja, were the Administrative Manager, Mikano International Limited, Abuja, Peter Imoekor and the Managing Director, Gilgal Concepts Limited, Fabian Ozoemena.

They were led in evidence by the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Oluwaleke Atolagbe.

They explained how they supplied generators, a transformer and security doors valued at millions of naira to Dokpesi’s houses in Lagos and Agenebode, in Edo State, as well other offices at different times.

The witnesses claimed that the supplies were made after the ONSA, between January and March 2015, allegedly paid N2.1billion to him.

Joined in the suit are the AIT and Daar Investment and Holdings Limited.

The EFCC is prosecuting Dokpesi and his company on a six-count charge. It said that Dokpesi and his company received the money in tranches.

The commission had also accused the defendants of money laundering and other charges, adding that the money was used for the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2015 presidential media campaign.

Imoekor told the court how Mikano supplied four units of 140KVA, two units of 200KVA and a 500KVA electric transformer to Dokpesi’s house in Agenebode.

He added that supplies were also made to Daar Communication offices in Sokoto, Gusau and Zamfara states, between February and August 2015.

Imoekor further explained that Dokpesi gave the instructions for the transactions, adding: “They were mostly carried out by the officials of Daar Communications.”

Under cross-examination by Dokpesi’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi, the witness said he did not know the sources of the money paid by Dokpesi and his company for the supply of the products.

He also said he did not know about the income and expenditure of Daar Communications, adding: “There is nothing about the transactions that I considered abnormal.”

When asked, if the defendant had been their customer for years, he said he did not see anything wrong in the transaction until he was invited by the EFCC.

Ozoemena also explained that the EFCC asked him “what the money they paid to my company was meant for, and I told the officials that it was for security doors.”

Under cross-examination, Ozoemena said he did not know the sources of the money paid to the company.

Justice John Tsoho has adjourned the matter till November 17 for the continuation of the trial.

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