Dokpesi opens defence in alleged N2.1bn fraud trial

The founder of DAAR Communications Plc, Raymond Dokpesi on Tuesday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, opened his defence in the alleged N2.1 billion fraud charge, preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC arraigned Dokpesi in 2015 on a seven-count charge bordering on alleged N2.1 billion fraud, said to be payments received from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

At the resumed hearing, the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) informed the court that the matter has been adjourned for Dokpesi to open his defence.

Dokpesi was called as the first defence witness and was led in evidence by his counsel, Mike Ozekhome (SAN).

Dokpesi told the court that he was a marine engineer by training and founder of DAAR Investment and Holding, the parent company of DAAR Communications.

He further told the court that the company which has been in business for the past 32 years for print media and 28 years for electronic media, served governments at all levels, business entities, individuals and corporate organisations.

“All that any of our customers need to do is reach out to our canvassers through our marketing and sales officers and management to book for airtime on the product they want advertised.

” There is no special treatment, as it is one and the same procedure for everybody; federal government, state governments or individuals,” he said.

He also told the court that the company has a brochure with advert rates which corporate organisations and individuals can peruse to pick the package that they were most comfortable with.

Ozekhome tendered the brochure as an exhibit and it was admitted in evidence.

When he however, sought to tender a receipt issued to Nasarawa state government by DAAR Communications, the prosecuting counsel objected on the grounds that the document was irrelevant to the case.

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“The receipts were not issued to the federal government and are not related to the sum of the charge which is N2.1 billion.

” All the receipts were issued in 2019, while proceedings in this suit are still pending, contrary to Section 83 of the Evidence Act,” Jacobs submitted.

The prosecution counsel insisted that since the documents sought to be tendered were photocopies, the people with the original receipts should be subpoenaed to produce the original receipts.

The judge, Justice John Tsoho, adjourned the matter until January 22 for continuation of trial.