JUST IN: Dokpesi Granted Bail On Strict Conditions
Media mogul and owner of Daar Communications, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi has been granted bail by a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Although, Dokpesi's bail conditions were very stringent as the conditions put forward by the court was very strict. The Edo-born high-chief will be remanded in FCT Prisons Kuje until his bail applications are met.
Mike Ozekhome (SAN) the defence counsel, who moved his application for bail at the last sitting, pleaded with the court to grant Dokpesi bail on self-recognition.
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“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, ” he said.
According to the court ruling, Dokpesi can only be released on the strength or release warrant signed by the judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole.
The conditions for bail are N200 million each (N400m) by two sureties, the first surety must be a director of civil service or retired as such under pension. He must also present a letter by his boss to show same.
The second surety may be an independent entrepreneur but must present evidence of tax payments for the last three years. The sureties must also submit their passports to the court.
The judge also affirmed that the sureties must also sign a means that if the accused jumps bail, they will stand in for him.
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The judge also made an order that Dokpesi cannot be re-arrested by the EFCC without a written or strength from him. The judge added that if the agency needs Dokpesi for interrogation, he can only be invited between 10am to 6pm. Anything contrary to that will be an abuse of court orders.
Justice Kolawole ordered the accused person to submit his international passport or any other international document that could enable him travel out of the country and that he should be remanded in Kuje prisons pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions.
The case was adjourned to February 17, 2016 for the commencement of trial.
Recall that chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, was on Wednesday, December 9, arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart who is standing trial for a six-count charge of money laundering and other fraud related charges was arraigned on, December 10 by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He is facing trial alongside his firm, DAAR Investment and Holdings Ltd, owners of African Independent Television, AIT, and Raypower FM.
According to the charge, Dokpesi is alleged to have received about N2.1billion from the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, for PDP’s presidential media campaign.
Source: Legit.ng
