A source at Kuje Prison in Abuja told SaharaReporters
that detained owner of African Independent Television (AIT), Raymond
Dokpesi, was being held in an office at the prison in order to avoid the
possibility of his being assaulted by inmates at the facility.
Mr. Dokpesi is being held at Kuje Prison pending the time he meets
his bail conditions. “Chief Dokpesi arrived at Kuje Prison at 4.55 p.m.
yesterday and was taken straight to the office of the officer in
charge,” said our source. Justice Gabriel Kolawole had granted bail to
the AIT proprietor, but ordered him remanded in prison until he meets
bail conditions.
The conditions include two sureties at N200 million each. Our source
stated that inmates at the prison were expected when they learned that
Mr. Dokpesi would be spending some time at the prison.
“Upon sighting Chief Dokpesi, most of the inmates became anxious to
see him,” said the source. He added: “But we decided to keep him in the
office of the officer-in-charge to prevent the prisoners possibly
hurting him. That’s why we are shielding him from [the inmates].”
Our source disclosed that Mr. Dokpesi seemed downcast when he was brought into the prison.
The AIT proprietor is standing trial on a six-count charge of money
laundering and other fraud-related crimes. Prosecutors allege that he
received N2.1 billion from former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo
Dasuki, in order to air presidential campaign material for former
President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Mr. Dokpesi is standing trial alongside his firm, DAAR Investment
and Holdings Ltd, corporate owners of AIT and Raypower FM, a radio
station.
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