Dokpesi shielded in detention to avert assault by inmates

A source at Kuje Prison in Abuja told SaharaReporters that detained owner of African Independent Television (AIT), Raymond Dokpesi, was being held in an office at the prison in order to avoid the possibility of his being assaulted by inmates at the facility.

Mr. Dokpesi is being held at Kuje Prison pending the time he meets his bail conditions. “Chief Dokpesi arrived at Kuje Prison at 4.55 p.m. yesterday and was taken straight to the office of the officer in charge,” said SR. Justice Gabriel Kolawole had granted bail to the AIT proprietor, but ordered him remanded in prison until he meets bail conditions.

The conditions include two sureties at N200 million each. Our source stated that inmates at the prison were expected when they learned that Mr. Dokpesi would be spending some time at the prison.

“Upon sighting Chief Dokpesi, most of the inmates became anxious to see him,” said the source. He added: “But we decided to keep him in the office of the officer-in-charge to prevent the prisoners possibly hurting him. That’s why we are shielding him from [the inmates].”

The Publication disclosed that Mr. Dokpesi seemed downcast when he was brought into the prison.

The AIT proprietor is standing trial on a six-count charge of money laundering and other fraud-related crimes. Prosecutors allege that he received N2.1 billion from former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, in order to air presidential campaign material for former President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mr. Dokpesi is standing trial ‎alongside ‎his firm, DAAR Investment and Holdings Ltd, corporate owners of AIT and Raypower FM, a radio station.