Money Laundering Conviction: Okupe heads to Appeal Court.

Published

1 year ago

March 23, 2023

Opeoluwa Awodugba

The former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe has appealed his conviction by a Federal High Court, Abuja for money laundering.

Okupe, in a notice of appeal is praying the appellate court to set aside the December 19, 2022 judgment by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu.

Justice Ojukwu, in the judgment convicted Okupe on counts 34 to 59 which deal with breach of the Money Laundering Act, in which he was found to have received cash payments in excess of N5m, on each transaction, from the office of the then National Security Adviser (NSA) under Col. Sambo Dasuki.

She noted that even Okupe, who was the first defendant did not deny the fact that the money, especially the ones above N5m, as shown in counts 34 to 59 of the charge, were received in cash and were not received through a financial institution.”

The judge proceeded to sentence Okupe, who was then the Director General of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the Labour Party (LP), to two years imprisonment.

In his four-ground appeal, Okupe is, among others, contending that the trial judge erred in law in arriving at a guilty verdict against him in relation to counts 34 to 59 of the charge.

Okupe stated that he received the said sums in cash, not in his individual capacity, but on behalf of the office of the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Public Affairs and under the instructions of the Ex-President and hence, should not be penalized unjustly.

He added: “The trial court did not consider the very important principles of law that to be guilty of the offence of money laundering by personal gratification, the appellant, tried as 1st defendant,must first be guilty of the offence of stealing or misappropriation of monies for personal gratification.”

Okupe also argued that the complainant/prosecution failed to establish how he colluded with 2nd and 3rd respondents (Value Trust Investment and Abraham Telecoms) to disguise the original source of any illicit funds or monies which is the property of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Okupe wants the court to issue an order allowing the appeal and setting aside the Judgment of the trial court and to discharge and acquit him of all counts in the charge sheet.

Related Topics:Conviction Court of Appeal Doyin Okupe Money Laundering

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SANTA CLAUS MISSION TO NIGERIA 2023 (SEASON3) PRESENTS BY JULIETGREENANDWHITE FOUNDATION & RICHMAN FOUNDATION.

Published

4 months ago

December 22, 2023

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Julietgreenandwhite Foundation in collaboration with Richman Foundation are on the mission to reach out to as many less privileged children they can around the world.

SANTA CLAUS MISSION TO NIGERIA 2023, the joy of giving (Season 3) is a programme where the less privileged children receives unexpected gifts.

The event which holds tomorrow 23rd Dec. will be live in Alimosho LGA and Agege LGA, Lagos Nigeria.

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Our mission is to reach out to the less privileged in the society to put a smile on their faces every season of joy and celebration”.

Practicing kindness is important for creating a positive and supportive environment.

Cultivate joyous giving by helping others in your own little way as God leads your heart.

“For Us in our organisation, Giving becomes a tangible way we can express concern and love to others. Generosity is an act of worship, and generosity also allows us to join God and His mission to see every tongue, tribe, and nation reached.

Join us in this mission and send a meal for someone in need of food and clothes. Donate to a charity you believe in. If you cannot feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”Proverbs 22:9 The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.

You can support by reaching out to us on the following phone numbers: +2348163050278+2348124224340.”

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Gunmen Invades, Set Ablaze Palace Of Imo Monarch Ablaze

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9 months ago

August 13, 2023

JRan

The palace of the traditional ruler at Ndia Iche Arondizuogu community in the Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, Eze Kanu Ikenolu, was set ablaze by unknown gunmen.

Speaking about the incident, sources told the Whistler that the gunmen stormed the palace of the traditional ruler with explosives which they threw into the compound which resulted in a fire outbreak that torched the building, properties and cars in the compound.

A community source said that properties worth millions were destroyed and blamed the police for not responding to the distress calls from the community.

The villager said, “The palace of HRH Eze Ikenolu, the Eze of Ndia iche Arondizuogu has been invaded by the Unknown Gunmen and the people are in the bushes now.

“Until now no response from the police about the palace of HRH Eze Kanu in Ndianiche Arondizuogu, where cars, houses, and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed. Or is Arondizuogu no longer part of Imo State?”

The spokesperson of Imo State Police, Henry Okoye said that “frantic investigating efforts are on top gear to arrest the arsonists and bring them to justice”

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President Tinubu Appoints Special Investigator To Probe CBN

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9 months ago

July 30, 2023

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed a Special Investigator to probe the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and key Government Business Entities (GBEs).

This is coming after the suspended Governor of the apex bank, Godwin Emefiele is been detained at the office of the Department of State Services.

In a letter obtained by journalists, President Tinubu named the Chief Executive Officer, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), Jim Osayande Obazee, as the special investigator of the CBN bank.

Tinubu also directed Obazee to report directly to his office.

“By the fundamental objective outlined in Section 15(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), this administration is today, continuing the fight against corruption by appointing you as a Special Investigator, to investigate the CBN and Related Entities. This appointment shall be with immediate effect and you are to report directly to my office.

“The full terms of your engagement as Special Investigator shall be communicated to you in due course but, require that you immediately take steps to ensure the strengthening and probity of key Government Business Entities (GBEs), further block leakages in CBN and related GBEs and provide a comprehensive report on public wealth currently in the hands of corrupt individuals and establishments (whether private or public).

“You are to investigate the CBN and related entities using a suitably experienced, competent and capable team and work with relevant security and anti-corruption agencies to deliver on this assignment. I shall expect a weekly briefing on the progress being made,” Daily Trust quoted President’s letter saying.