Tag Archives: Dokpesi

N2.1 billion DasukiGate: Dokpesi’s corruption trial stalled

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The ongoing trial of former Chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, Raymond Dokpesi, before the Federal High Court Abuja was stalled on Tuesday due to the absence of prosecution witness.

Mr. Dokpesi and his company were docked on charges bordering on receiving N2.1 billion from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, for former President Jonathan’s media campaign.

When the matter was called up, prosecuting counsel, O.A. Atolagbe, requested that the matter be stood down since the witness as well as the lead prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, were on their way.

However, when Mr. Jacobs eventually arrived, he told the court that the witness was very close to the court.

The defence counsel, Kanu Agabi, craved the indulgence of the court for an adjournment owing to the absence of the witness.

Mr. Agabi said that both the defence and the prosecution had agreed that the matter be adjourned.

The judge, John Tsoho, said that he had hoped the trial would commence since he was made to understand that the prosecution had prepared a witness.

The judge said he had hoped the witness would begin his testimony, but since he was yet to arrive the court, he adjourned the matter till March 29 and 30.

 

Source: Premium Times

How Dasuki Paid Dokpesi N2.1bn Without A Contract- Witness

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A prosecution witness in the trial of former chairman of Daar Communications and Investment Plc, Raymond Dokpesi on Tuesday claimed that he(Dokpesi) was paid without executing any contract with the Officer of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Salisu Shuaibu, who was former Director of Finance in the ONSA, testified at an Abuja Federal High Court that the sum of N2.1 billion was transferred to Dokpesi through the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN) in four tranches of N500m each.

Led in evidence by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Salisu stated that a contract would usually require an agreement with the company prepared by the legal officer at ONSA and approved by the NSA, which was not done with Daar.

He testified that on the four occasions, he was instructed by the then NSA, Sambo Dasuki to prepare the payment mandate for him to sign while he (Salisu) counter-signs. The document will then be forwarded to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for execution.

He said the processing of payment mandate for contractors of the ONSA began under the tenure of late General Owoeye Azazi and was used for the purchase of military hardwares, explaining that the contracts do not include media campaigns.

“This payment is the first time we are budgeting for media campaign in the Office of the National Security Adviser,” he said.

However, being cross examined by defence counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Salisu admitted that the ONSA was not a procurement agency under the Procurement Act, but added that the office enjoys some exemptions in the area of purchase of military equipment.

The case has been adjourned to February 7 and 8, 2017 for hearing.

Credit: dailytrust

Defamation: Court strikes out Buhari’s suit against AIT

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The Federal High Court on Wednesday in Abuja struck out defamation suit filed by President Muhammadu Buhari against DAAR Communications, operators of the African Independent Television, AIT.

Justice John Tsoho held that the court was compelled to strike out the suit because it appeared abandoned.

According to him, no representations from the parties have been entered since the matter was assigned to the court.

“This is against the rules of court, all opportunities given for the plaintiff and the respondents to put life in the suit have failed. The suit is hereby struck out,” Mr. Tsoho said.

Mr. Buhari had filed the suit in 2015 challenging the documentary transmitted by the station allegedly aimed at defaming his character in the eyes of the public.

The president averred that the video documentary aired by the television station was aimed at giving him away as a dictator and religious bigot.

He also averred that the documentary was also shown on the state-owned Nigerian Television Authority, NTA.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that before the action, the APC national leadership had written to the two stations describing the video as fabricated and defamatory.

Subsequently, the presidential candidate of the APC, as he was then, approached the court with the suit.

The DAAR Communication is owned by a chieftain of the PDP, Raymond Dokpesi.

Edo Guber: INEC merely postponed APC’s defeat – Dokpesi

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A frontline contender for National Chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi has described the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission to postpone the Edo State governorship election as “unfortunate”.

In a statement by Omor Bazuaye of the Raymond Dokpesi Campaign Organisation, Dokpesi said it is a shame that once again Nigerians are subjected to such gross impunity and flagrant abuse of power that is currently being exhibited.

Dokpesi said he received information about the postponement of the election just as he led a last minute campaign for the candidate of the PDP, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, in Etsako East, taking the campaign and the message of a better future from his own Ward 1 deep into Zone 4.

Dokpesi said what INEC had done was to postpone PDP’s victory at the polls and delay the inevitable defeat of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state.

He said no matter how many times and how long INEC postpones the election, the people in his Etsako East have rejected APC and have made up their minds to vote the PDP.

Dokpesi visited Oshiolo Village where he met with the village head, Chief Agaye Izobor.

The campaign train then journeyed to Ekwotsor, where it was received by a large crowd of party supporters before moving on to other neighbouring villages such as Agiere and Weppa.

INEC has fixed a new date of September 28 for the election, which was previously fixed for September 10.

I Am Ready To Kneel Down To Beg Atiku, Saraki, Others – Raymond Dokpesi

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Raymond Dokpesi, contestant for the chairmanship position of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said that he is ready to kneel down to beg former members of the PDP who have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to return.

 

Some former members of the PDP who have defected to the APC include former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar and embattled Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

 

Dokpesi reminded the party that it needs to provide a viable opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

Dokpesi said he would reunite the grieving factions in the party, and appealed to those who left for the APC to “return home”.

 

“We want to give strong opposition to this government because there is a lot hunger and poverty in the country and Nigerians are suffering,” he said.

 

“My ambition is for PDP to win 2019 and I am going to deploy massively for that to happen. For that reason I am going to bring back all those leaders who left and I hereby tender my unreserved apology to them to return.

 

“There will be level playing field for all candidates under my leadership. I am not an agent of anybody and I am not sponsored by anyone and I feel insulted to hear that someone is sponsoring me. But I have no commitment to anybody.

 

“I am ready to kneel down for those aggrieved to come back to the party in order for us to be victorious in 2019.”

Raymond Dokpesi Denies Alleged Sponsoring Of NDA

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The National chairmanship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi, has denied sponsoring activities of the Niger Delta Avengers, saying that it is nothing but a blatant concoction of falsehood obviously laced with the political intention of throwing a spanner in the works of our nation wide campaign/consultation with PDP delegates throughout the country in our bid to contest the National Chairmanship of the PDP.

He called on all Nigerians and delegates to the PDP National Convention to ignore Cynthia Whyte allegation.

This was amde known in a statement signed by Alhaji Shehu Gabam DG, Raymond Dokpesi
Campaign Organisation today.,

Bode George Promises To Restore PDP’s Past Glory

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Amid leadership tussle rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the former national Deputy Chairman of the party, Chief Bode George, on Monday said he has the political magic wand and skills to reposition the party.

 

George who stated this at a carnival-like flag-off of his campaign for the office of the national chairman of the party, which was held at the party’s secretariat in Lagos, pointed out that in the face of the current challenges, it is only a leader with uncommon leadership skills that can salvage the party.

 

He said, “These are not happy days for our party. The times appear dark and bleak. The horizon is uncertain. We are being assailed in every corner. Problems brew everywhere. Our challenges appear endless and intractable. Every day we are confronted with a new drama and with a new hurdle. Certainly, there are some obvious and not so obvious interests inside and outside our party who do not wish us well.”

 

George lamented that the party’s effectiveness as the opposition party is being rendered inconsequential and virtually of no value, saying the members have continued to engage themselves in destructive mutual consumption.

 

Harping on how the party derailed from its set objectives George said, “We were humble and fair. We were diligent without being arbitrary. We were self-confident without being aggressive. We were dedicated, disciplined, realistic without being crude, without being indifferent. We were loyal without being tainted with the distorting seeds of mercenary coloration.

 

“Times have changed! Our great party is no longer recognizable today. A lot of distortions have set in. Indiscipline has eroded the foundations of old. Selfishness and greed have compromised the great idealisms and the logical principles of our founding fathers.”

“We lost the presidential election because we had lost faith in the goals and the standards that had been erected by our founding fathers. We lost the election because we became distant and indifferent to the needs and the aspirations of the people.”

“The centerpiece of every democratic society is the embrace and the cultivation of the populist inclinations and necessities. Our campaign was hydra-headed without a coherent pivotal balance. We lacked direction and purposefulness. We ignored what was important to every man and woman and pretended everything was smooth and normal.”

 

He noted that the party cannot afford to be stampeded into making wrong decisions again or be hurried into entrusting the fate of the party to neophytes and inexperienced people.

 

“This is not the time for experimentation and whistling in the dark. This is not the time for untested characters and new-fangled moguls who are merely on a junketing spree. This is not the time for desperate time-servers and little men without vision.”

 

“Our party needs a rescue. Our party needs redemption. Our party deserves a balanced, experienced, tested, trusted and faithful hand. Our party needs a team player and a unifying leadership. Our party needs stability.”

 

“Here and now, I am humbly making a stand and a declaration as an aspirant for the position of the office of the National Chairman of our party with a vision to serve as a bridge builder, as a peace-maker and as a healer of the broken places,” he said.

Return The Money You Stole – PDP Youths Tell Raymond Dokpesi

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An Osun state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youth group under the aegis of Youth Forum For Democracy, has asked Raymond Dokpesi to return the funds which he allegedly collected from Sambo Dasuki.

 

 

The youths also slammed him for making what they called anti-peace comments during his visit to the state. According to Punch, the Osun state PDP is currently divided following a flawed party congress. The youths said Dokpesi was not ready to lead the party now, because he has not shown himself to be a bridge builder. They also criticised Dokpesi for only visiting the Iyiola Omisore faction of the party.

 

 

They said “We are obliged to inform members of the public on the visitation of Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, who is jostling for the post of the National Chairman of the PDP, especially on the anti-peace, callous and sentimental comment he made.

 

 

“He (Dokpesi) was paying a solidarity visit to Otunba Iyiola Omisore, who is his colleague in the EFCC net onDasukigate.

 

 

“Dokpesi is a good customer  of Senator Ahmed Tinubu, (a national leader of the All Progressives Congress) and he (Dokpesi)  could be picked up at anytime. So, he cannot be the PDP chairman because he would cave in at the slightest pressure from Tinubu

 

 

“With every sense of modesty, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi should not be contesting for the National Chairman, if he had meant business he should be working on the unity, peace and healing process in Osun PDP.”

 

 

The PDP youth group added that Nigerians will only believe the party if people who stole money are not allowed to lead the party.

 

 

Raymond Dokpesi also said he will not step down for Chief Bode George.

N2.1B Fraud: Dokpesi Takes Fresh Plea

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The founder of DAAR Communications PLC, Chief Raymond Dokpesi has taken a fresh plea before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Mr Dokpesi who is the owner of the African Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower Radio was first arraigned before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the same court in Abuja by the federal government on a six count criminal charge of N2.1B money laundering in December 2015.

Mr Dokpesi’s fresh plea was necessitated by the re-assignment of his case to Justice James Tsoho who has just been transferred from Lagos to Abuja division of the court this year.

In the charge signed by Aliyu Yusuf, Deputy Director, Legal and Prosecution Department of EFCC, the accused was alleged to have between October 2014 and March 2015 conducted procurement fraud by receiving the sum of N2, 120,000,000 into the account of DAAR Investment and Holding Company for the funding of media activities for the 2015 presidential election campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The alleged offence is contrary to section 58 (4) (b) of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and punishable under section 58 (6) and 7 of the same act.

After taking his plea, his lawyer Wole Olanipekun , urged the trial judge to admit Mr. Dokpesi to the same bail terms earlier granted to him by Justice Kolawole, saying that he had been of “good behaviour” since the commencement of the suit.

The plea was not opposed to by the prosecuting Counsel, Mister Rotimi Jacobs, who informed the court that he was more interested in commencing and advancing with the trial.

Credit: ChannelsTv

Alleged N2.1bn Fraud: EFCC Re-Arraigns Dokpesi

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?The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today, re-arraigned the Chairman emeritus of DAAR Communications Plc, ?High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

Dokpesi ?who was initially docked before the court on December 9, 2015, is facing a six-count criminal charge. He was alleged to have ?received about N2.1billion from the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, for Peoples Democratic Party’s ?presidential media campaign.

According to the charge which was signed by the Deputy Director, Legal and Prosecution at the EFCC, Mr. Aliyu Yusuf, the fund was released to the accused person by the erstwhile NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, rtd, ?between October 2014 and March 19, 2015.

The funds were allegedly transferred from an account the ?office of NSA operated with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN?, to a FirstBank? of Nigeria Plc? account owned by DAAR Investment and Holding Company Limited The prosecution maintained that the transaction was in breach of ?section 58 (4) (b) of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and punishable under section 58 (6) and 7 of the same Act, as well as under section 17 (b) of the EFCC Act, 2004. EFCC equally joined Dokpesi’s firm, DAAR Investment and Holdings Ltd, owners of African Independent Television, AIT, and Raypower FM, as the 2nd defendant in the suit.

Credit: vanguardngr

Armsgate: Return The Money You Collected Or Face Trial – EFCC To Falae, Dokpesi, Odili, Bafarawa, Others

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has warned all those involved in the alleged sharing of the $2.1bn cash meant for the procurement of arms for the military fighting Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East to return their part of the loot or be ready to face trial.

 

 

The EFCC decided on refund of cash after retrieving some of the memoranda which the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), wrote to then President Goodluck Jonathan requesting for funds, The Nation reports.

 

 

Some of the beneficiaries of the cash include former governors Peter Odili (N100m); Rashidi Ladoja(N100m), Attahiru Bafarawa(N100m), Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi (N100m), and Jim Nwobodo(N500m), Chief Tony Anenih(N260m); ex-PDP National Chairman Ahmadu Ali(N100m); Chief Bode George (N100m/ $30,000), Yerima Abdullahi (N100m); Chief Olu Falae (N100m); Tanko Yakassai (N63m); Gen. Bello Sarkin Yaki(N200m);

 
Others include, Raymond Dokpesi, Iyorchia Ayu’s company(N345m); BAM Properties (N300m); Dalhatu Investment Limited(N1.5bn); ex-PDP National Chairman Mohammed Bello Haliru, Abba Mohammed, Sagir Attahiru, serving and former members of the House of Representatives(over N600 million); former Chairman of the House of Representatives on Security and Intelligence, Bello Matawalle (N300m); ACACIA Holdings (N600m); Bashir Yuguda (N1,950,000) and many companies.

 

 

Speaking with the newspaper, a source from the EFCC explained that based on the vetting, the commission is insisting that all those implicated so far must refund the “illegal disbursement” of cash or face trial.

 

 

The source said, “We have conducted a thorough investigation and we have retrieved some of the memos sent to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan by the former National Security Adviser; none of them indicated that the cash should be for political purposes.

 

 

“There was never a memo for cash advance for political matters like campaign or election.

 
“We have also traced some of these funds directly to the accounts of these bigwigs or their proxy companies.

 

 

“Having gone far, we are asking them to return these funds or else, we will go after them any moment from now. I think they should respect themselves and make urgent refund.

 

 

“In the alternative, we will arrest them and arraign them in court to defend such strange allocations.

 

 

“We will retrieve every kobo given out from ONSA. It is insufficient to say somebody gave me this money. Once we trace undeserved public funds into your account or phony and proxy companies, we will ask for refund.”

 

 

On reports that former Military Administrator of Kaduna State and a Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Gen. Lawal Jafaru Isa(rtd) refunded some amount of money, the source added: “He admitted collecting money from ONSA and he has refunded 60 per cent of the sum credited to him. I think it should be about N100 million.

 

 

“Isa is the only person who has so far refunded money among the political figures who collected funds from ONSA. We have granted him bail to allow him time to source for the balance.”

 

 

Throwing more light on the continued detention of the PDP spokesman, Metuh, the source said: “So far, Metuh has admitted the transfer of N400 million by ONSA into a company in which he has substantial interest.

 

 

“It is left to him to justify why he deserved such benefit from arms cash. We are still questioning him on other remittances into the company’s account. We are also demanding how he will refund the cash.

 

 

“Contrary to the noise outside, we did our homework very well. Anybody we bring to the EFCC this time around, we used to make sure that we have established a case against him.

 

 

“So, we don’t invite or arrest on frivolous basis. We do thorough investigation this time around.”

 

 

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has urged its members involved in sharing the slush funds from the Office of the former National Security Adviser to return what they collected, stressing that it did not ask any of its members to collect money on its behalf during the last general elections.

 

 

This was disclosed by the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Ibrahim Jalo, in Abuja

 

According to Jalo, no one has claimed that the money received from from the embattled former National Security Adviser was on behalf of the party.

 

He said, “When people say that this party benefited from the money meant for arms, I laugh. This is because we didn’t as a party get a dime from the former NSA.

 

 

“The party therefore has nothing to do with anyone who has collected money from the former NSA. Anyone, who has collected money from him, should return it. They are on their own.

 

“They will face trial without the party’s coming to their rescue. PDP is a clean party that has not taken money meant for the procurement of arms and ammunition or from the Federal Government.

 

 

“All those who collected money from Dasuki used their personal companies to do so. We didn’t send them.”

 

 

The PDP deputy spokesman dared the government to further investigate the matter and come out with findings showing that the party used public funds to finance its operations.

 

 

Credit : Daily Post

$2.1bn Arms Probe Is A Hoax Aimed At Destroying PDP — Dokpesi

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Former Chairman of DAAR Communication, owners of African Independent Television and Ray Power FM, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, has described the $2.1 billion arms deal probe by the Federal Government that led to the arrest of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki and other members of People Democratic Party, PDP, as a hoax.

 
Addressing newsmen, yesterday, in his office in Abuja when he was honoured by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, youths under the aegis, PDP Youth Vanguard, as their patron with a certificate, Dokpesi, stressed that the $2.1 billion armsgate was not only a figment of the imagination of the Federal Government, but was aimed at destroying PDP.

 
Dokpesi said: “I must hasten to assure you that there is nothing like the much flaunted $2.1 billion armsgate. The competent courts of our land would sooner or later prove this coinage aimed at decimating the leadership and membership of our great party to be nothing but a hoax.

 
“Some of us are reminded of the events of 1984/85 which by any stretch of comparison are similar to the unfolding events of today. As I have said not too long ago, we must stand resolutely united especially in the face of this momentary political adversity. For one thing, I say again that the PDP is not dead, is not dying and will not die.

 
“I wish to emphasise that the current ruling party is making efforts to impede our journey to political maturity through the manipulation of the federal system to serve purely partisan interest.

 
“Our party is indeed experiencing a massive persecution, political reprisal and vendetta, of the kind never before seen on our shores and targeted at the leadership, membership and indeed sympathizers of the PDP by the APC government of the day.

 
We’ll not be weakened

 

“As you all know, so much political water has passed under the bridge since the general elections of April 2015. So much has been said about our members, many of whom have been publicly vilified even without being heard. I assure you that we will not be weakened or demoralised in playing our role as the important opposition voice which is a very critical ingredient in any democratic state.

 
“We may be harassed, we may even be bent, but we are resolute and will not be broken. Even as I speak, the relentless pursuit of our members across the country is being intensified and I can say with some measure of certainty that a lot more lie in stock for the PDP and its members.”

 
Speaking earlier, Coordinator of PDP Youth Vanguard, Ibrahim Bala Aboki, who noted that the group will not relent in its struggle against selective persecution targeted against PDP members, however hailed the dogged spirit exhibited by Dokpesi in trying to galvanize action to ensure the resuscitation of PDP.

 
He said the APC-led federal administration had concluded that whoever joins their party has automatically transformed into saint.

 
He said: “The National Youth Vanguard will always stand by you. We are truly aware that the struggle will not be easy but with God on our side we will surmount the antics and distractions of the APC. The APC has continued to victimize leaders and all members of the PDP through their selective and imaginary fight against corruption.”

 

 

Credit : Vanguard

Political Associates, Friends Shun Dokpesi’s Son’s Wedding

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As son of Dr Raymond Dokpesi got married in Abuja on Saturday, political allies of the embattled Chairman of the Africa Independent Television (AIT) were found wanting in attendance. The wedding of Williams Dokpesi to his heartthrob, Diane at Emerald Park and Recreation, Area 3, Abuja, which would have would have been a jamboree of some sort were the AIT Chairman not to have found himself in troubled waters, turned out to be scanty and was attended by few friends and family members.

Neither the church service nor the wedding reception was attended by any of his political friends or popular faces in the Nigerian polity. Photos from the event showed that the wedding fell short of expectations, as the venues were deserted. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a popular figure in the national polity, said the troubled Daar Communications owner got shunned because of his ongoing battle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to him, the wedding would have become the talk of town but for the recent scandal which none of his politician friends want to get associated with. “It’s a pity that all his politician friends have left him at the most trying times. Nobody wants to associate with him because of his EFCC trouble. We all know that anyone who attends or appears in the photos, might be picked up on by EFCC as an accomplice in the ongoing probe. It’s better to be safe,” he said.

Credit: DailyTimes

Photo Of Dokpesi Inside VIP Cell In Kuje Prison

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Former Chairman of Daar Communications Group, Raymond Dokpesi was remanded in the VIP Cell of Kuje Prison for three days over a six count charge of fraud and violations of Public Procurement Act.

Dokpesi-inside-Kuje-prisons

Dokpesi-inside-Kuje-prisons

Dokpesi, who has finally left Kuje prison, was granted bail in the sum of N200 million and two sureties in like sum by Justice Gabriel Kolawole of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

 

Photo Credit : Abiyamo

Dokpesi Leaves Detention After Three Days In Kuje Prison

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A businessman and founder of Daar Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, finally left detention on Wednesday after spending three days in Kuje prison in Abuja, where a Federal High Court in Abuja remanded him pending when he would meet the N400m bail conditions granted him with respect to N2.1bn fraud charges preferred against him

This was confirmed by his lawyer in a text message by his lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), to our correspondent’s telephone line at 8:18pm on Wednesday.
Ozekhome said Dokpesi was released from prison to him as his lawyer, his son, Raymond and his wife Tosin.
The lawyer did not specify exactly when his client was released from prison on Wednesday and the conditions which they found difficult to fulfil.
The text message read, “High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi released from Kuje Prisons to his counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), his son, Taymond (Jnr); his wife, Tosin, after fulfilling the bail conditions imposed by Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who granted bail on Monday, December 14 upon an application filed and argued by his counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN).”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had on December 11 arraigned Dokpesi along with his firm,  Daar Investment and Holdings Ltd, on six counts of money laundering and procurement fraud involving about N2.1bn which he allegedly received from the office of the National Security Adviser for the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential media campaigns.
Credit: Punch

Court Orders Dokpesi Remanded In Kuje Prison

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A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered that media mogul, Chief Raymond Dokpesi should be remanded in Kuje prisons pending the perfection of his bail conditions.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole, while granting bail to Dokpesi who is standing trial on a six-count charge of fraud and violations of Public Procurement Act, refused to allow the media mogul go home on self-recognition as argued by his counsel.

Rather, the Judge imposed stringent bail conditions on the former chairman of DAAR Communications.

The Judge granted Dokpesi bail in the sum of N200 million and two sureties in like sum.

The Judge also stipulated that one of the sureties must be a civil servant of the status of serving or retired director in the federal or state civil service.

In addition, the Judge ordered that if the surety is retired, he or she must produce a gazette where the retirement is gazetted to show that he was not sacked.

The Judge also said the if the director is still serving, he or she must produce a letter from his permanent secretary.

The other surety, the Judge said, must be a private entrepreneur who must also produce his three years certificate.

In addition, he added that the surety must deposit title deeds worth N200 million which must be verified by the court.

The Judge added that the sureties must file an affidavit of means confirming that they are ready to forfeit their property if the accused escaped.

Credit: Sun

Court Grants Dokpesi N200 Million Bail

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A federal high court sitting in Abuja this afternoon admitted the embattled former Chairman, Daar Communications,  Dr. Raymond Dokpsi to a N200 Million bail.

The court ordered that to perfect the bail conditions, Dokpesi must produce 2 sureties in like sum who must be directors either retired or serving in either public or private sector. Those serving must show letter of appointment.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole ordered that any further invitation for any further investigation must be through his lawyers giving 48 hours ahead of time.

Dokpesi’s international passport must be deposited with court registrars and sureties must deposit their own passport photograph.

Dokpesi is charged along with his company – Daar Holding and Investment Limited by the EFCC on a six count criminal charge.

They are accused of violating the Money Laundering Act, the EFCC Act and the Public Procurement Act.

Credit: DailyTrust

Dokpesi Pleads Not Guilty To Money Laundering Charges

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The proprietor of Africa Independent Television, Mr Raymond Dokpesi, has pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge of fraudulent and corrupt act preferred against him by the Federal government of Nigeria.

Mr Dokpesi was arraigned on Wednesday before a Federal High Court presided over by Justice Gabriel Kolawole in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

He said he was absolutely not guilty, as the charges preferred against him were not true.

In count one of the charge, Mr Dokpesi and DAAR Investment and Holding Company Limited were accused of receiving public funds to the tune of 2.1 billion Naira from the account of the office of the National Security Adviser with the Central Bank of Nigeria for the funding of media activities for the 2015 presidential campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) contrary to Section 58 Sub-section Four B of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

In the other counts, Mr Dokpesi was also accused of collecting the said amount without a certificate of no objection to contract award duly issued by the Public Procurement Bureau and receiving payment for a purported contract without bidding for the said contract.

Having pleaded not guilty to all the charges, Justice Kolawole adjourned the hearing of Mr Dokpesi’s bail application to December 10.

Credit: ChannelsTV

Monies Collected From Dasuki By Dokpesi, Bafarawa, Others, Not For Arms Purchase– Agency

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PRNigeria, an agency which distributes press statements for organisations and individuals in Nigeria, has said that contrary to public perception, not all funds disbursed from the office of the National Securty Adviser, ONSA are meant for arms procurement.

The firm in a statement Thursday denied that former NSA, Sambo Dasuki implicated some past governors and officials of the Peoples Democratic Party.

It also said “not all funds in Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) are related to arm procurement as being alleged.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC, is presently investigating how over $2.2 billion meant for the procurement of arms and ammunition for Nigerian armed forces were allegedly diverted for political and other purposes.

The investigation is the outcome of a presidential investigation committee, which has now indicted a lot of officials within and outside the ONSA.

President Muhammadu had on receipt of the interim report of the committee directed that all those indicted in the report be arrested.

EFCC so far have in detention the former NSA, Dasuki, and former Minister of state for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, owner of AIT/Raypower, Raymond Dokpesi as well as a former governor of Sokoto state, Attahiru Bafarawa.

Others in detention include the son of Mr. Bafarawa, Sagir Bafarawa, and that of a former Minister of Defence, Bello Mohammed, Abba Mohammed.

Credit: PremiumTimes

EFCC Secures Court Order To Keep Dokpesi

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, failed to free the Chairman of Daar Communications Plc, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, after meeting his bail conditions.

 
One of the conditions was for the media mogul to surrender his travel documents to the EFCC and produce two directors in the Federal Civil Service as sureties, a condition he met earlier today, according to his lawyers.

 
His lawyer, Mr. Mike Ozekhome, said they were shocked to be told that the agency had secured a holding warrant from a magistrate’s court to keep his client in detention after perfecting his bail conditions.

 

“We got the two sureties today (yesterday) and we were ready to meet all the bail conditions before the EFCC told us they were able to get a holding charge warrant from a magistrate.”

 
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, said a magistrate has no powers to issue a holding charge warrant.
He also said neither Chief Dokpesi nor himself had been made aware of any charges yet.

 
“We are yet to know the charges levelled against Chief Dokpesi and he himself has told me that no charges were preferred against him,” he said.

 
Apart from Daar Communications boss, Chief Raymond Dokpesi; former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda and former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, there were many other key suspects detained in EFCC cells in connection with the $2billion arms deal.

 
It was learnt that while some of the suspects such as Shuaibu Salihu, who was Director of Finance in the office of the National Security Adviser and 19 others had been in detention for over a week, Dokpesi, Bafarawa and Yuguda joined the suspects only this week.

 
By law, they are expected to be released or charged to court within 48 hours.

 
Mindful of the position of the law, a top source in the commission told Vanguard last night that the agency might approach a court to seek an order to further detain the high profile suspects.

 
“The aim is to give them time to speak out on why they received huge public funds from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, and what such curious payments were meant for, especially as the recipients are not security men or security contractors,” a source said.

 

Credit : Vanguard

Why I Collected N2.1 Bn From Dasuki– Dokpesi

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Raymond Dokpesi, founder of Daar Communication, owners of Ray Power radio network and Africa Independent Television, has said the money he received from the office of the National Security Adviser during the administration of Goodluck Jonathan was payment for media and political campaign for the 2015 general election.

Mr. Dokpesi was questioned by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission on Tuesday over the N2.1 billion he allegedly received from the office of the NSA.

The Nigerian government has made high profile arrests in connection with alleged diversion of billions of naira meant for procurement of arms for the fight against Boko Haram.

A former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, is among those arrested.

Mr. Dokpesi’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, had earlier said that his client had written to the EFCC informing the anti-graft body it never did business with the NSA’s office.

“What I know is that the EFCC wrote to Daar Holdings asking for a list of directors and whether it has done any business or contract with the office of the NSA in the past and how much was involved,” the lawyer said in a telephone interview.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Dasuki Lists Ex-Govs, Ex-Ministers, PDP Chiefs As Accomplices In Arms Deal

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After being arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) and handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, December 2, 2015, the former national security adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki has listed some of his accomplices.

 

According to a source who spoke with The Nation, the ex-NSA made some “mind-boggling” revelations on the arms contracts on Tuesday after being arrested.
Former national security adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki makes stunning confessions about accomplices in arms deal scandal

A report by the National Task Force on Illegal Importation of Firearms (NATFORCE) on December 2, said that Dasuki aided Boko Haram in the importation of illegal arms and other ammunition.

 

Describing his confession during interrogation by the EFCC, a source said: “When Dasuki was brought in, he initially refused to write any statement, alleging that he had been subjected to media trial.

 

“I think the ex-NSA decided not to open up based on the advice of his lawyers that he should leave everything for the open court.

 

“The EFCC operatives, however, obliged Dasuki a copy of the statement by a former Director of Finance in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Shaibu Salisu in which the latter made some implicating statements.

 

“Dasuki, who was shocked by Salisu’s confessions, repeatedly asked: ‘You mean Salisu wrote all these! You mean he said these! Give me a pen and paper’.

 

“Thereafter, Dasuki decided to open a can of worms. He gave a long list of PDP chieftains who collected money from the Office of the NSA.

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“He mentioned the names of a former Deputy National Chairman of PDP, ex-governors and ex-ministers and many others.

 

 

“As I am talking to you, Dasuki is still writing his statement. The disclosures of the ex-Director of Finance in ONSA have assisted greatly in getting to the bottom of the armsgate.

 

“So, the investigation is still on. We will certainly arrest more suspects soon.”

 

The Nation also reports that the EFCC may extend its probe to the seizure of $9 million cash by South Africa and bring everyone involved for questioning as regards the botched deal.

 

Also, the former Sokoto state governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, the AIT chairman, Raymond Dokpesi, and the former minister Bashir Yuguda, who have also been linked to the arms deal, were said to be perfecting their bail conditions yesterday.

An EFCC source also revealed that the anti-graft agency was planning to arraign some of the suspects in court to enable them have the over 22 suspects being interrogated in custody as the agency is said to be mindful of a situation in which the high-profile suspects will rush to court to in search of enforcement of their fundamental rights and thereby truncate the investigation.

 

“Our investigators have isolated these areas of probe: Were the funds budgeted for? If not, what informed extra-budgetary expenses? How much was actually voted for arms procurement? How were the funds sourced? Who or which agency awarded all the contracts?

 

“Who were the contractors? Was there any evidence of delivery of equipment? What will make any Minister to run to ONSA for funds?

 

“These are the areas our detectives have been mandated to look at,” the source informed.

 

“Some Bureau de Change operators were accomplices of many of these suspects in custody. We are tracking every transaction.

 

“On daily basis, we will keep on inviting more suspects because the syndicate has a complex networking,” the source added.

 

Dokpesi on his part, has since explained that the N2.1 billion he collected from the former NSA was for a pre-election campaign.

 

Credit : The Nation

Dokpesi’s Lawyer Speaks On EFCC Probe, N2.1bn Arms Money Scandal

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Mike Ozekhome, the lawyer to Raymond Dokpesi, founder of Daar Communications, Raymond Dokpesi, has said he was not aware his client received money from the office of the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo Dasuki.

Mr. Ozekhome also said reports that Mr. Dokpesi was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ,EFCC, over the alleged payment, were not correct because Mr. Dokpesi went on his own to the anti-graft agency after receiving a call from its chairman.

“I am not aware the chief collected any money,” he said, referring to Mr. Dokpesi.

“The chief called me earlier in the afternoon to say he received a call from the chairman of the EFCC wanting to see him and I sent one of my lawyers to accompany him. He was not arrested by any group of operatives,” he said.

Mr. Ozekhome said prior to Tuesday’s invitation of Mr. Dokpesi, there was no formal communication from the EFCC to him.

“What I know is that the EFCC wrote to Daar Holdings asking for a list of directors and whether it has done any business or contract with the office of the NSA in the past and how much was involved.

“We wrote them a reply to say Daar did not do any contract with the office of the NSA and we are ready to give them all the information they need,” he said.

The EFCC has arrested a number of individuals indicted by a presidential investigations committee into arms procurement by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Credit: PremiumTimes

PDP Condemns Dokpesi’s Arrest

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The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has condemned Tuesday’s arrest of television and radio proprietor, Raymond Dokpesi, and other opposition people by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The party also said that it had been made aware that more notable PDP leaders have similarly been listed for arrest over “unproven allegations” pursuant to the plot by the governing All Progressives Congress, APC to cow and silence opposition in the country.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Tuesday said the military style of pronouncement of guilt on Mr. Dokpesi before any fair hearing, betrays the fact that he is a victim of political persecution and mob trial by the APC government because of his association with the PDP.

Credit: PremiumTimes

DAAR Communications, The Height Of Slavery : Read The Inside Story From a Heartbroken Staff

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So it is no longer News to many Nigerians, that Daar Communications, A Reputable leader in the Media Industry In Africa, That is owned By Former President Goodluck Jonathan Loyalist and Chief Hate Campaign Speech Chairman Raymond Dokpesi hasn’t paid staff and workers for a wholesome 17 months and the stations function daily without hiccups and groanings, because the workers have passion for what they do. But like every human, talent doesn’t pay the bills only bosses pay salaries that pay bills. They have had series of protest in different locations by workers and staff but still no head way from Oga as he is fondly called.  Days have become weeks still Raymond Dokpesi has said nothing to the workers of his organization and believe me when i say patience would definitely run out for Staff of AIT and her sister Stations.

Incase You Missed it : DAAR Communications Workers Protest Again Over Unpaid Salaries

Read the account of a Staff of Daar Communications who decided to reach out to www.omojuwa.com with the whole story so the public can know the inhumane treatment that staff and workers of the station that many Nigerians are loyal to go through.

There is groaning, anguish and pain among us. These are results of the insensitivity of DAAR COMM’s management. Many of us are being owed up to 17 months salary, but management seem not to care. Instead, they would rather call for workers to “right-off” arrears.
It is more worrisome, that, Dokpesi, the one now called emeritus chairman is seen donating millions of dollars to some other radio stations that was attacked recently, hosting Jonathan to multi million naira dinner and buying exotic cars for his girlfriends, while his workers languish for lack of payment of salary, their due entitlement after every month.

It is sad that this company never pays his workers at the right time. Everyone is being owed, apart from those in management level who eat fat at the detriment of committed staff, the least three months. This gross insensitivity was the reason AIT’s operational attempt in the USA some years ago failed. They owed the staff they hired in America and the authorities there shut the station down.
This can only happen in Nigeria, where there no serious regulation and monitoring.

WE NEED HELP! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
We are suffering in silence!

We are subjected to rigorous work without the right or adequate resources, it is expected of us to make “sacrifices”, it shouldn’t be like this.
This is slavery. Underpaid, yet the peanut is not released in due time, and compelled to work under excruciating conditions disguised as “sacrifices”.

Another issue is the scam called DAAR COMMS PlC public offer. Many bought shares about 6 years ago. Up till today, no single person, out of the thousands that parted with money has received dividends nor do we hear of annual AGMs.

We can not say all, for they are too many.

We members of staff of DAAR Communications under the aegis of “Enough is Enough Group” wishes to call on relevant authorities, especially President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union to please look into this company that treats its workers as slaves.

Kindly help copy and post this on Facebook, BBM platforms, whatsapp platform until it reaches those who can help us.
God bless Nigerian workers!

“Enough is Enough Group” of DAAR Communications!!!

DAAR Communications Workers Protest Again Over Unpaid Salaries, This Time It’s Rivers State

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After workers shut down AIT Benin studio on the 4th of this month over unpaid 17 months salaries, Sahara Reporters is reporting now that both the radio and television station of the communication outfit in Rivers State was this morning almost shut down by workers who were also protesting non-payment of their salaries. They stood at the gate with drums and were singing solidarity songs demanding that their salaries be paid because they worked for it. They also sent back customers who were willing to go in for business.

Barri Peremougu, the Southern Director of the station, was almost lynched by the angry workers according to witnesses at the scene.

Workers Shut Down AIT, Radio Station Over 17 Months Unpaid Salaries

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Workers of Daar Communications Plc, operators of African Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower FM Radio, yesterday shut down all broadcasting activities at the Benin studio in protest over unpaid  17 months salaries.

The scores of protesting workers were said to have blocked the main entrance to the station located along the Benin/Lagos bypass.

It was gathered that the protesting workers put at about fifty workers, were owed salaries spanning between 12 and 17 months.

According to Pm News, one of workers who claimed anonymity said that newly employed staff of AIT were being owed 12 months while old staff were yet to be paid salaries between 13 months and staff of the Raypower FM, the Radio arm of the broadcast outfit were owed 17 months.

“The stations generate millions of naira on a daily basis, so there is no reason why we should not be paid our salaries. They have no excuse not to pay us our money. It is share wickedness and man’s inhumanity to his fellow man. We have families to care for and children to pay their school fees. Many of our children have stopped going to school. But their own attend schools abroad.

Look at where our station is located, in another village so far away from Benin City. You have to chatter a taxi cab for not less than N500.00 to get there if you miss the staff bus. And not even every cab driver will agree to go there because of the wrong location of the station, yet, they expect us to be there everyday, whether you have anything to do or not,” he said.

Dokpesi, 7 Others To Testify In Tinubu’s N150 Billion Libel Suit Against AIT

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Hearing in the N150 billion libel suit filed against DAAR Communications by national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, has been fixed for today according to Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe of the Ikeja High Court.

Raymond Dokpesi, the Chairman of the broadcast outfit, is one of the witnesses to testify at the hearing of the suit. Others listed to testify against Mr. Tinubu are Namure Edoimioya, Medan Tenke, Ajibola Adewusi, Olumide Idowu, Stanley Odidi, Nwabueze and Stanley Bassey.

Mr. Tinubu had instituted the N150 billion suit against Daar Communications Plc, owners of AIT, over the documentary titled “Lion of Bourdilion”.

He had alleged that the documentary which the station started airing on March 1, was libellous and aimed at tarnishing his image. However, in a counter-claim filed by AIT on Tuesday, the defendant denied the allegations as contained in the plaintiff’s amended statement of claim.

Mr. Dokpesi, in his statement on oath, said that Mr. Tinubu’s claim was founded on a non- existent ground because the said documentary was not titled “The Lion of Bourdilon”, but “Unmasking the Real Tinubu”. He also said that the documentary, in his honest opinion, was not false and was not aired out of malice to the run the character in question down.

Mr. Dokpesi said AIT, as a member of the fourth estate of the realm, was empowered by Section 22 of the Constitution to at all times, hold those in government accountable and responsible to the people of Nigeria.

He further asserted that the contents of the documentary were facts which had been in the public domain for over two decades. According to him, they were published independently prior to the broadcast and had remained unchallenged till date.

Dokpesi, Others To Testify In Tinubu’s N150bn Libel Suit Against AIT

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Hearing in the N150 billion libel suit filed against DAAR Communications by a national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, has been fixed for May 27.

Raymond Dokpesi, the Chairman of the broadcast outfit, is one of the witnesses to testify at the resumed hearing of the suit.

Others listed to testify against Mr. Tinubu are Namure Edoimioya, Medan Tenke, Ajibola Adewusi, Olumide Idowu, Stanley Odidi, Nwabueze and Stanley Bassey.

Mr. Tinubu had instituted the N150 billion suit against Daar Communications Plc, owners of AIT, over the documentary titled “Lion of Bourdilion’’.

He had alleged that the documentary which the station started airing on March 1, was libellous and aimed at tarnishing his image.

However, in a counter-claim filed by AIT on Tuesday, the defendant denied the allegations as contained in the claimant’s amended statement of claim.

Mr. Dokpesi, in his statement on oath, said that Mr. Tinubu’s claim was founded on a non- existent ground because the said documentary was not titled “The Lion of Bourdilon”, but “Unmasking the Real Tinubu”.

He also said that the documentary, in his honest opinion, was not false and was not aired out of malice to the person of the claimant.

Mr. Dokpesi said AIT, as a member of the fourth estate of the realm, was empowered by Section 22 of the Constitution to at all times, hold those in government accountable and responsible to the people of Nigeria.

He further averred that the contents of the documentary were facts which had been in the public domain for over two decades.

According to him, these were published independently prior to the broadcast and had remained unchallenged till date.

Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe of an Ikeja High Court has fixed hearing till May 27.

Credit: NAN

Buhari Has No Power To Stop AIT From Covering Him- Dokpesi

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The proprietor of Daar Communications PLC, Raymond Dokpesi, has stated that Monday’s decision by the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to bar one of its subsidiaries, Africa Independent Television, from covering his activities was an attempt by the former military Head of State to bring back the era of Decree 4.

Mr. Dokpesi said Mr. Buhari lacks the power to stop the AIT from covering his activities, as doing so would amount to breaking the law. Mr. Buhari as Head of State promulgated Decree 4, tagged Public Officers (Protection Against False Accusation) on March 29, 1984.

The law was drafted to punish authors of false statements and reports that exposed the Buhari administration and/or its officials to ridicule or contempt. Many journalists were arrested and jailed under the law. Mr. Buhari’s party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Tuesday reversed the decision of the president-elect to stop AIT, saying all accredited media houses are free to report on his activities.

But speaking exclusively to PREMIUM TIMES Tuesday, Mr. Dokpesi stated that Mr. Buhari should be reminded that he cannot return Nigeria to the era of Decree 4. “I am sure that the President-elect needs to be reminded of Decree 4, and he should be clearly reminded that section 32 of the constitution makes it mandatory for the media to hold public officials accountable to the people,” he said.

He also said Section 39 of the constitution equally grants Nigerians the freedom of expression and to hold opinion. “The president-elect said that he does not want to be covered by AIT, but AIT has a responsibility to the Nigerian public to report the things that are happening,” he said.

“There are three national networks available for national coverage in Nigeria, the NTA, AIT and Silverbirds. You cannot stop a foremost private station from reporting in Nigeria, it brings us back to Decree 4 era.”

Mr. Dokpesi also acknowledged that Mr. Buhari may have taken his decision based the documentaries ran by the station during the electioneering campaign.

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