$2bn arms deal: EFCC quizzes Dokpesi

•Dasuki back in DSS’ cell
•PDP kicks against secret trial
From Taiwo Amodu, Fred Itua, Abuja and Job Osazuwa
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
yesterday, questioned founder of Daar Communications
Plc, owner of AIT/Ray Power, Raymond Dokpesi for his
alleged role in the disbursement of $2.1 billion arms deal
during the Jonathan administration.
This is even as the Department of State Services (DSS) re-
arrested former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col.
Sambo Dasuki (retd), over the weapons’ deal. Dokpesi’s
arrest was confirmed by a source in the EFCC who
declined to be named.
Dokpesi, who allegedly played a prominent role in the
failed re-election bid of former President Goodluck
Jonathan, reported at EFCC’s headquarters for questioning
yesterday afternoon.
According to the source, Dokpesi allegedly played a key
role in the purchase of arms for the Army in the fight
against insurgency. It was gathered that N2.1 billion was
reportedly paid into his account. Dokpesi was, until
recently, chairman of DAAR Communications.
A presidential committee was set up by President
Muhammadu Buhari soon after he assumed office to
investigate the purchase of arms by the former president.
In its interim report, the committee found extra-budgetary
spending by the Jonathan administration to the tune of
N643.8 billion and an additional $2.2 billion as the foreign
currency component.
Dasuki was indicted in the interim report and has been
having a running battle with the DSS.
On Monday, the anti-graft agency arrested a former
minster of state for Finance, Bashir Yuguda over alleged
complicity the arms’ deal.
Meanwhile, after three weeks of siege to his Asokoro,
Abuja residence, DSS finally moved against Dasuki. He
was taken to their headquarters at Aso Drive, Asokoro,
Abuja, where he is expected to be interrogated on the
alleged conjured multi-billion naira arms contract he
awarded. Investigation also indicated that more DSS
operatives have stormed Dasuki’s residence, perhaps, to
carry out more searches for documents and other
evidence relating to the arms’ contracts.
Prior to his arrest, a Federal High Court, on November 3, in
Abuja, ordered the release of his passport and granted him
leave to travel abroad for medicals, which was ignored.
Justice Adeniyi Ademola, while ruling on Dasuki’s
application held that in a criminal trial, every suspect is
presumed innocent and that every Nigerian has the right to
access medication anywhere of his choice.
He said the former NSA was granted bail on September 1,
on self recognition with no condition attached, adding that
the prosecution’s argument that the seizure of Dasuki’s
passport as the only condition for his bail, was irrelevant.
Justice Ademola ordered the Registrar of the court to
release Dasuki’s passport to enable him travel out.
He also ordered the ex-NSA to return his passport to the
Deputy Chief Registrar, Litigation of the Court within 72
hours after his return from the medical trip.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja fixed December 3 for
the hearing of the motion filed by the Federal Government
seeking to revoke Dasuki’s bail.
At the resumed hearing of the suit, lawyer to the Federal
Government, Mr. Mohammed Diri, told the court that a
notice of appeal has been lodged at the Court of Appeal
challenging the ruling which granted Dasuki bail.
The embattled Dasuki was charged to court with illegal
possession of arms following a siege to his Abuja home
and subsequent arrest in July. The charge against him
was later expanded to include money laundering.
However, a few days after the ruling, Dasuki’s home was
surrounded by DSS operatives. The siege was an attempt
to ensure that he did not leave the country.
The DSS debunked the claim that its operatives invaded
the home of the former NSA in defiance of a court order.
The security agency, in a statement, said its officers’
action was informed by Dasuki’s refusal to honour an
invitation by the committee investigating his alleged
involvement in the arms procurement process.
Dasuki denied ever receiving any invitation letter to appear
before a committee.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has
described EFCC’s invitation and questioning of Dokpesi as
a “witch hunt.”
Reacting to the development, National Publicity Secretary
of the PDP, Olisa Metuh said although the party was not
against the anti-graft war, allegations against Dokpesi was
a ploy by the APC to cow and silence opposition in the
country.
“We insist that  the crusade must be carried out within the
limits of the law and not as  a guise to persecute and
torture opposition elements in the country.
“Our fear is that with the pronouncement of guilt, even
without being giving the opportunity within his rights as a
citizen to state his own side of the story, the President
Buhari-led government is sidestepping  the law to ensure
that Dokpesi does not get justice in the court, a plot which
they want to extend to other PDP leaders.
“The PDP, therefore, demands an open and public trial of
all those  arrested so that all issues and charges against
them as well as their defence therein would also be in the
public domain…”