$2.1b arms fund probe a hoax – Dokpesi

Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and founder of DAAR Communications PLC, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi has dismissed the probe of $2.1 billion funds meant for arms purchase under the last administration as nothing but a witch-hunt of leaders and members of his party by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Dokpesi, who made the declaration in Abuja on Wednesday while speaking at an investiture ceremony where he was conferred with the honour of “Freedom Fighter of PDP” by the PDP Youth Vanguards, expressed irm optimism that the courts would sooner or later proved that “this coinage” is nothing but a hoax.

This was even as the PDP Youth Vanguards staged a peaceful demonstration at party’s National Secretariat yesterday, calling for the immediate release of the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh. Dokpesi was recently granted bail after being arrested and arraigned in court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in connection with N2.1 billion allegedly paid to his company by the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (

This was even as the PDP Youth Vanguards staged a peaceful demonstration at party’s National Secretariat yesterday, calling for the immediate release of the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh. Dokpesi was recently granted bail after being arrested and arraigned in court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in connection with N2.1 billion allegedly paid to his company by the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd). He noted with regret that the PDP was experiencing a massive persecution, political reprisal and vendetta targeted at its leadership, membership and sympathisers by the APC-led Federal Government. His words, “It is meant to destroy the existence of PDP. The persecution of the former National Security Adviser, the persecution of the National Publicity Secretary, the persecution of our Chairman of Board of Trustees, will fail when we begin defense”. The PDP

He noted with regret that the PDP was experiencing a massive persecution, political reprisal and vendetta targeted at its leadership, membership and sympathisers by the APC-led Federal Government. His words, “It is meant to destroy the existence of PDP. The persecution of the former National Security Adviser, the persecution of the National Publicity Secretary, the persecution of our Chairman of Board of Trustees, will fail when we begin defense”. The PDP

He noted with regret that the PDP was experiencing a massive persecution, political reprisal and vendetta targeted at its leadership, membership and sympathisers by the APC-led Federal Government. His words, “It is meant to destroy the existence of PDP. The persecution of the former National Security Adviser, the persecution of the National Publicity Secretary, the persecution of our Chairman of Board of Trustees, will fail when we begin defense”. The PDP Chieftain however refused to make any comment regarding the several matters filed before the courts against him and other members of the party.

According to him, “doing so would be subjudice” Dokpesi, in an apparent reference to the clamp down on politicians during the Second Republic, when President Buhari took over as military head of state in 1983, noted with regrets that Nigerians “are reminded of the events of 1984/85 which by any stretch of comparison are similar to the events of today.” He said, “so much 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 key 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 now 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”, he