Admin l Monday, Jan. 14, 2019
MAITAMA, Abuja, Nigeria – Dr. Doyin Okupe, one of the aides of former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was today arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before a Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja on 59-count charge of “money laundering and diversion of about N702 million arms fund.
Okupe who was arraigned before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu however pleaded not guilty to all the charges. While arguing on a motion on notice, Counsel to Doyin Okupe, Tolu Babaleiye, prayed the court to admit the defendant to bail on self-recognisance.
“The defendant will in not way tamper with evidence since the proof of evidence is before the court that means investigation has been concluded,” he said, and that “he will not jump bail as he is well-known”.
In his reply, EFCC prosecutor, Ibrahim Audu said the defendant was granted administrative bail after he volunteered his statement and was thereafter nowhere to be found until December 2018 in Lagos.
Besides, he argued that there is nothing to show that the medical certificate of the defendant is authentic since it was electronically generated.
“The court should exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously based on materials supplied before the court,” he added, stressing that the court should take into consideration, “the gravity of the punishment in the event of conviction on the charges brought against the defendant”.
Justice Ojukwu granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N100 million with one surety in like sum. Surety must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court, and must depose to an affidavit of means, must have landed properties which must also be within the jurisdiction of the court. The surety must in addition submit copies of his tax clearance from 2016 to 2018.
She said the surety and defendant are to deposite their international passports with the Deputy Chief Registrar, Litigation and thereafter adjourned to February 27, 28 and March 6, 2019 for trial.
