The Federal High Court Abuja has found former Senior Special Adviser to Ex – President Good luck Jonathan, Mr Doyin Okupe, guilty of accepting money above five million naira without passing through financial institutions which is a violation of Nigeria’s money laundering act..
The money amounting to N240 million was received in various sums ranging from N10 million on different occasions from 2012 to 2015 when he was SSA to president Jonathan.
Justice Ijeoma Ojuwku in a judgement on Monday gave the defendant an option of N13 million fine or go to jail for 2 years.
The Court found Mr Doyin Okupe, who is currently the campaign Director General of Labour Party, LP, guilty of receiving over N200 million cash from former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki without going through financial institution.
Justice Ojuwku held that the action of Okupe, who is the first defendant in the case instituted by Nigeria’s Anti-graft Agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, violated the Money Laundering Act of the commission.
According to the court, the Act provides that no individual or organization shall receive any sum above N5 million and N10 million respectively without passing through a financial institution, adding that, “There is no evidence that the money passed through a financial institution.“
Justice Ojuwku, said the National Security Adviser, was not a financial institution, adding that even if the president was said to have authorized the funds, that does not mean that the money must be paid in cash because it is a violation of the money laundering act.
Mr Doyin Okupe and two other companies namely, Value Trust Limited and Abraham Telecoms were charged on 59 counts and found guilty in 26 charges.
The judge however found the defendants not guilty in count 33 on the grounds that the prosecution failed to establish the charge of money Laundering and criminal breach of trust and corruption.
The said sum according to Okupe, was expended on running the office, payment of staff and engagements of the former president and his administration.
Counsel to Doyin Okupe, Tolu Babaleye, who spoke to Journalists said, his client would pay the fine.
Counsel to EFCC, Ibrahim Audu, who also spoke to Journalists said he and his team would study the judgement and look at where he was acquitted and take the necessary decision.
PIAK
