Court Sends Doyin Okupe To Prison For Accepting N702m Cash Payment From FG

Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has found guilty and sentenced to two years and six months imprisonment the former Special Assistant on Media to then President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for accepting cash payment up to the tune of 702 million naira without going through a financial institution.

Details of the Court judgement is still sketchy as at press time, as the ruling is yet to be ascertained if the 702 million naira cash payment was a proceed of crime or a genuine cost of service paid by the then Goodluck Ebele Jonathan led Federal Government.

Doyin Okupe is the current Director-general of Labour Party presidential Campaign Council, that has Peter Obi as the presidential candidate for the 2023 general election.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu presiding over the case on Monday ruled that Doyin Okupe was guilty of contravening sections 16(1) and (2) of the Money Laundering Act and accepting cash in excess of the threshold allowed under the Act without going through a financial institution.

EFCC had arraigned Okupe in 2019 on a 59-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and diversion of funds to the tune of 702 million naira.

He was arraigned before Ijeoma Ojukwu, presiding judge, alongside two companies – Value Trust Investment Limited and Abrahams Telecoms Limited.

Allegations, Doyin Okupe had denied any wrong doing.