The founder of DAAR communications PLC, Chief RAYMOND DOKPESI, has pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge of fraud and money laundering brought against

The founder of DAAR communications PLC, Chief RAYMOND DOKPESI, has pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge of fraud and money laundering brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.DOKPESI was arraigned before Justice GABRIEL KOLAWOLE of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.DOKPESI is accused of receiving public funds through his DAAR Investment Holding Company Limited to the tune of two point one billion Naira from the account of the office of the National Security Adviser with the Central Bank of Nigeria.The payment was allegedly made to DOKPESI for the funding of media activities of the 2015 presidential campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party.But the prosecutor said the act was contrary to Section 58, Sub-section Four B of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.DOKPESI is also accused of collecting the said amount without a certificate of contract award duly issued by the Public Procurement Bureau and receiving payment for a purported contract without bidding.After the charges were read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty, after which Justice KOLAWOLE adjourned the hearing of his bail application, which is due to be taken today.The presiding judge also fixed 17th and 18th of February, as well as 2nd and 3rd of March next year for the trial.
Speaking with newsmen outside the court; counsel to the accused, IFEDAYO ADEDIPE, dismissed the charges against his client.