17th February, 2016
Former chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi was on Wednesday re-arraigned before the Justice James Tsoho of Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
Dokpesi was first arraigned before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the same division of Federal High Court last December on a six-count charge of money laundering and other charges relating to procurement fraud. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail.
Dokpesi was re-arraigned before another judge on Wednesday was as a result of the directive of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta for withdrawal of the case from Justice Kolawole.
Rotimi Jacobs the prosecuting counsel told the court that there was also need for Dokpesi to take a fresh plea since he is being arraigned before the court for the first time.
Justice Tosho agreed with him and Dokpesi again pleaded not guilty to the charges of criminal breach of public procurement law to the tune of N2.1 billion.
Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, urged the court to allow Dokpesi maintain the bail earlier granted him by Justice Kolawole on December 14, since he has been of good behaviour since the bail was granted.
Justice Tsoho therefore ruled that the bail earlier granted Dokpesi be maintained and adjourned the case until March 2 and 3 for commencement of trial.