Politics

EFCC Arraigns Okupe For Alleged N702m Fraud, Gets N100m Bail

Published

5 years ago

January 14, 2019

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned Doyin Okupe, a former Senior Special Assistant to former president, Goodluck Jonathan, on 59 counts bordering on “money laundering and criminal diversion of funds” to the tune of N702m.

Okupe was brought before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of a Federal High Court, Maitama, along with two companies, Value Trust Investment Ltd and Abrahams Telecoms Ltd allegedly involved in the commission of the fraud.

One of the counts read, “That you, Dr. Doyin Okupe, being the Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan from July 2012 to May 2015, and being the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, and a signatory to the bank account of Abrahams Telecoms Ltd, on or about the 3rd October, 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, directly took possession or control of the sum of N35 million, transferred to the account of Abrahams Telecoms Ltd from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser with the Central Bank of Nigeria purporting to be for special services when you reasonably ought to have known that the said fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity.”

He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.

Upon his plea, the prosecuting counsel, Ibrahim Audu, asked for a date for “commencement of the trial”.

However, Okupe’s counsel, Tolu Babaleiye, through a motion on notice dated December 17, 2018, prayed the court to admit the defendant to bail.

“The defendant will in no way tamper with evidence since the proof of evidence is before the court that means investigation has been concluded,” he said.

Babaleiye further urged the court to admit the defendant to bail on self-recognizance adding that “he will not jump bail as he is well known”.

While responding to the application, Audu argued that “the defendant was given administrative bail after he volunteered his statement, thereafter, he was nowhere to be found until December 2018 in Lagos”.

He further said that “there was nothing substantial in the defendant’s affidavit,” adding that there was nothing to show that the medical certificate is authentic and nothing to show it met the requirements of the evidence act as it was electronically generated.

“The court should exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously based on materials supplied before the court,” he added, stressing that the court should take into consideration, “the gravity of the punishment in the event of a conviction on the charges brought against the defendant”.

After listening to all the arguments, Justice Ojukwu granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N100m with one surety in like sum.

The trial judge said: “The surety must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court, and must depose to an affidavit of means, must have landed properties which must also be within the jurisdiction of the court. Must submit to the court tax clearance papers from 2016 to 2018, also have a recent passport photograph. The surety and defendant must deposit their international passport to the court. The documents are to be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar Litigation of the court.”

Justice Ojukwu, thereafter, adjourned till February 27, 28 and March 6, 2019, for trial.

Politics

Amuwo-Odofin 2: Appeal Court affirms Rauf’s Lagos Assembly election, dismisses LP suit

Published

6 months ago

November 18, 2023

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AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

Politics

BREAKING: 2 REJECTED AS LAGOS LAWMAKERS CONFIRM SANWO-OLU’S SECOND BATCH OF NOMINEES

Published

8 months ago

September 7, 2023

august24admin

BREAKING: 2 REJECTED AS LAGOS LAWMAKERS CONFIRM SANWO-OLU’S SECOND BATCH OF NOMINEES

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

Politics

OEF CONGRATULATES SOLA GIWA

Published

9 months ago

September 5, 2023

august24admin

Says Governor Sanwo-Olu, is a listening Leader

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The OMO EPETEDO FORUM has heartily rejoice with an illustrious Son of the Community, Hon. Sola Giwa on his nomination into the Cabinet of Lagos State Government by His Excellency, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Executive Governor of the State.

The forum notes with joy, decision of the Governor to re- nominate his Special Adviser on Transportation back to the cabinet.

” It is with great joy that our Son, a brilliant, visionary and great grassroot mobiliser is re-nominated into the government. The gesture, no doubt, is an affirmation that His Excellency, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has listening ears. He has cleared doubt of all by listening to vast majority of Lagosians who clamoured for a rejig of the Commissioners list. By this Action, He has undoubtedly reaffirmed our belief in clear vision, nobility of character,politics of principle, and above all, his quest for a prosperous Lagos that works”

We are assured that Sola Giwa will introduce new, lofty ideas into the administration. He has been a top-notch performer since the beginning of his Career in life. So, this new task will definately be carried out with utmost sincerity and will birth favourable outcomes.