The 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.
The source stated Dokpesi allegedly played a key role in the purchase of arms for the Army in the fight against insurgency. Based on what was gathered, 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, 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 stated 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 Muhammadu 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…”