Court Grants Doyin Okupe N100m Bail Over N702m Fraud Case
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFCC), on Monday, brought erstwhile Senior Special Assistant to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe, on a 59 count money laundering charge.
EFCC laid the accusation that Dr Doyin Okupe serially received cash payments from the Office of the National Security Adviser for Special Services.
Dr Doyin Okupe was alleged to have diverted a sum of N702 million, while he made use of accounts of his 2 companies known as Value Trust Investment Limited and also Abrahams Telecoms Limited.
One of the counts of the money laundering charge brought against DR Doyin Okupe read that:
“That you, Dr. Doyin Okupe, being the Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan from July 2012 to May 2015, and being the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, and a signatory to the bank account of Abrahams Telecoms Ltd, on or about October 3, 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, directly took possession or control of N35 million, transferred to the account of Abrahams Telecoms Ltd from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser with the Central Bank of Nigeria, purporting to be for special services when you reasonably ought to have known that the said fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity.”
Dr Doyin Okupe pleaded not guilty to the charge brought against him. His lawyer, Mr Tolu Babaleiye, urged the court to pardon and release him on bail while they wait for the verdict of the court.
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Mr Tolu Babaleiye, the defendant lawyer, reminded the court that his client, Dr Doyin Okupe, had a bail application on December 17, 2018. He also made it clear that his client, Dr Doyin Okupe, would be present on the day of his trial.
The lawyer also stated that his client, Dr Doyin Okupe, is in dire need of medical attention. He was later granted bail of N100m and the case was adjourned to February 27, 28 and March 6.
