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Nigerian court grants Raymond Dokpesi bail

Rather, the Judge imposed stringent bail conditions on the former chairman of DAAR Communications.

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According to a source, Dokpesi was brought to the prison at about 4.55pm and immediately taken to the Prison Chief’s office.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole had while granting bail to Dokpesi who is standing trial on six count charge of fraud and violations of Public Procurement Act refused to allow the media mogul go home on self recognition as argued by his counsel.

He also said the accused person should be remanded in Kuje Prison pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.

Kolawole faulted the argument of the prosecution led by Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) – who said Dokpesi was facing an indictable felony charge and should should be kept behind bars – against the bail application of Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Dokpesi’s lawyer, on the grounds that an accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The judge added that if the agency needs Dokpesi for interrogation, he can only be invited between 10am to 6pm.

Kolawole also said the second surety must be a private entrepreneur with evidence of three years tax clearance certificate and a verifiable landed property worth N200 million.

The sureties must swear to an affidavit of means that in the event that the accused is not available for trial, the properties will be forfeited to the government.

Dokpesi was directed to surrender his worldwide passport, “If already in custody of the EFCC, it should be delivered to the ‎DCR of the Federal High Court in charge of Litigation”, Justice ‎Kolawole said.

The judge held that it was only in capital offences like murder that the court could deny granting bail to the accused person.

“The alleged offence is bailable”.

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According to Faparusi, it stands logic on its head for Dokpesi, who rendered service to Jonathan’s Campaign Organisation to receive payment for such service through the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA.

Raymond Dopkesi in Court on Monday 14 Dec. 2015