The trial of media mogul, Raymond Dokpesi, who was arraigned by the EFCC in February, for allegedly receiving the sum of N2.1 billion from former National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo Dasuki, began on Wednesday at the Abuja Federal High Court.
At the commencement of trial, the first prosecution witness, Mukaddas Aliyu, narrated to the court how a total of N2.1 billion was transferred to the account of DAAR Investment & Holding company Ltd, a company owned by Dokpesi.
Aliyu, a manager in the payment section of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Abuja branch, was led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, and revealed that the money was paid in four payments mandates from of the office of the NSA.
He said the signatories to the account were the National Security Adviser and the Director of Finance, Office of the NSA.
The witness clarified that the mandate payment brought on 21/01/2015 was for the amount of N500 million and the purpose of the payment was “payment for media campaign”.
“The mandate for the N500 million was signed by M.S. Dasuki and S.A. Salisu and after we verified the signatures, we effected the payments”, Aliyu said.
He also stated that the second payment mandate was dated 2nd February, 2015; the amount was also N500m and the purpose of the payment was also “payment for media campaign”.
The witness said the third and fourth mandates were dated 9/02/2015 and 19/03/2015 respectively, and the amounts involved were N620 million and N500 million respectively, adding that both payments were “for media campaign”.
During cross examination by lead defense counsel, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Aliyu informed the court that the four mandates used to effect payment to Dokpesi’s company also authorized payments totaling over N24billion to other companies and institutions.
They include: N60.6 million credited to the Presidential Air Fleet; N13.6 million credited to Macmac General Enterprises Nigeria Ltd for supply of rice to IDPs; and N2 billion credited to AR Security Solution Ltd for personnel support and logistics.
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