The family of Daar Communication founder, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, has reacted to what it described as false allegations against him in respect of the $2.1bn arm purchase scandal.
Dokpesi was picked up for questioning by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday over allegations of money laundering for money he received from former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki.
He was released on Friday after three days of interrogation.
A statement signed by his son Raymond Dokpesi Jr., on Saturday reads: “It has become very imperative that following an article published in the Nation Newspaper and reprinted in other online and social media, that we provide more clarification on the current detention without trial of Dr. Raymond Dokpesi by the in Abuja over allegations of Criminal Conspiracy and Money Laundering.
“In the first place, there is no iota of truth whatsoever that Dr. Dokpesi had a hand in any transaction with the former National Security Adviser regarding the purchase of arms, locally or internationally. This falsehood has become commonplace as his detention is constantly being associated with what has generally become known by the media as the $2.1 Billion US Dollars Arms Deal Scandal.
“We like to make it abundantly clear that Dr. Dokpesi’s DAAR INVESTMENT & HOLDINGS COMPANY LTD, initiated a proposal to the Presidency of former President Goodluck Jonathan, proposing a Multi Media Strategic Development Support Project to promote and project the achievements and highlight the challenges of his government whilst demystifying false information gleefully circulated by the propaganda machinery of the then opposition party.
“The proposal was submitted to the former President in person by Dr. Dokpesi and his team in the presence of the former Vice President and the former National Security Adviser at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. We must further emphasise that the proposal had absolutely nothing to do with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), nor the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).
“We understand that this proposal was thoroughly studied, and approved We are still at a loss as to why a Federal Government that claims to have been popularly elected only about six months ago, will embark on a wide scale propaganda, misinformation and brazen falsehood just to achieve its objective of decimating its perceived political opponents and supporters of the previous government’s administration.
“High Chief Raymond Dokpesi remains a law abiding and consummate patriot who has served his fatherland to the best of his ability with Zeal, Zest and oftentimes a very infectious sense of patriotism.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Dr Dokpesi has never applied nor bided for a contract for the purchase of arms. Nor has he ever been registered with the Ministry of Defence for the similar objective of engaging in the supply of Arms for the Government. Unfolding events will soon prove irrefutably and unlike what fictitious stories are being fed to the media as published by The Nation Newspaper on Friday 4th December 2015.
“We urge the Buhari-led APC Government to rigorously investigate all political and economic crimes thoroughly before embarking on a media trial and sentencing even before the law courts of Nigeria have an opportunity to adjudicate.
“Our democracy must grow on all fronts but more so under the rule of law which remains the bedrock of any democratic system.”
