Court fixes date for Dokpesi’s trial as new judge takes over case

A FEDERAL High Court, Abuja, has fixed March 2 and 3 for the commencement of trial of the Chairman, Daar Communications Plc, Chief Raymond A. Dokpesi.

This followed his re-arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice James Tsoho of the Federal High Court over alleged N2.1 billion fraud.

Dokpesi was earlier arraigned before Justice Gabriel Kolawole in the same court on December 9, 2015. He had pleaded not guilty to the entire six-count charge before the judge and consequently, the matter was slated for February 17 and 18, and March 2 and 3, for the beginning of hearing on the substantive charges before the court.

But the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, in his wisdom, had re-assigned the case file to Justice Tsoho but gave no reason for the case transfer.

However, Dokpesi pleaded not guilty to the six-count criminal charge preferred against him by the anti-graft agency.

His lead counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), prayed the court to allow him continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted him by Justice Kolawole.

The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) raised no objection.

The trial judge, Justice Tsoho, who granted the prayer in a short ruling, held that Dokpesi should continue to enjoy the bail with the same conditions that was accorded him by Justice Kolawole.