BY Ebunoluwa Olafusi
A federal high court in Abuja has ordered Raymond Dokpesi, former chairman of Daar Communications PLC, to open his defence in a corruption allegation levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
After going through all the arguments and counter-arguments, John Tsoho, presiding judge, on Wednesday rejected Dokpesi’s no-case application and ordered him to open his defence at the next adjourned date.
Tsoho said Dokpesi’s claim that he had no case to answer could not be substantiated and so was a false claim.
“I hereby strike out the application,” the judge said.
Dokpesi, his company, DAAR Investment and Holdings Ltd and Raypower, are being arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on alleged procurement fraud and breach of public trust.
He is alleged to have received N2.1 billion from the office of the national security adviser (ONSA) between October 2014 and March 2015, during the tenure of Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser, for services not rendered.
The EFCC had through Abubakar Madaki, its 12th witness, said the defendant “did not do any contract but was paid”.
However, rather than open its case, Dokpesi had through Kanu Agabi, his counsel, filed a “no-case” submission arguing that he had no case to answer in the alleged fraud.
The case was adjourned to February 20 and 21, 2019.
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