Raymond Dokpesi
Chief Raymond Dokpesi | |
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Personal details | |
Born | Raymond Anthony Aleogho Dokpesi 25 October 1951 Ibadan, Nigeria |
Died | 29 May 2023 Abuja, Nigeria | (aged 71)
Political party |
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Alma mater | |
Website | raymonddokpesi |
Education
Dokpesi started his early schooling with Loyola College, Ibadan. After this, he joined the Immaculate Conception College (ICC) in Benin City where he was the pioneer member of Ozolua Play house, a dance/drama group. He did his undergraduate studies at the University of Benin Edo State and completed his studies in University of Gdansk, Poland where he earned his Doctorate degree in Marine Engineering. His studies, from secondary school to university level, was sponsored by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.
In the early 1990s, as a result of the historic
Career
Dokpesi started as the personal assistant to Alhaji Bamaga Tukur, one of the general managers of the Nigerian Ports Authority. Dokpesi also served as a civil servant in the Federal Ministry of Transport under Alhaji Umaru Dikko and General Garba Wushishi.[citation needed]
Africa Ocean Lines
One of Dokpesi's first businesses, Africa Ocean Lines, was the first indigenous shipping line in Africa, and was established in the 1980s. Although the business did not last long, it contributed to the Nigerian shipping industry, as it helped formulate the Nigerian Shipping Act Decree 1986, which stated the sharing of formula 40:20:20 for cargo between developed and developing countries.[8]
Daar Communications
In 1994, Dokpesi launched the first Nigerian private FM radio station,
Expansion in the USA and Europe
On 20 September 2003, Africa Independent Television launched its signals in the United States. Presently, AIT is received in the United States, Mexico, the
Politics
Dokpesi also had his hands in politics. One of his first political assignments was as a political
Criticism and controversy
On 4 October 2010, Dokpesi was arrested for his alleged role the Abuja car bombings.[10] He was released after spending nine hours in detention and afterward sued the country's secret police for alleged wrongful imprisonment.[11][12]
On 11 November 2015, Dokpesi, on behalf of the PDP party, made a public apology due to the mismanagement of Nigeria under the PDP government.
"Make no mistake, the PDP is aware that there were errors made along the way. We admit that at certain times in our past, mistakes have been made; we did not meet the expectations of Nigerians. We tender an apology. But the past is exactly what it is. We call on all party faithful, supporters and sympathisers to partner us going forward."[13][clarification needed]
Dokpesi also criticised the PDP for fielding Goodluck Jonathan as the PDP's presidential candidate in the March 2015 elections.[14]
Money-laundering and corruption criminal charges
On 9 December 2015, Dokpesi and his company, Daar Holding and Investment Limited, were charged in the Federal High Court, Abuja in a US$2.1 billion money laundering scam.[15] The FG claimed the money was budgeted for weapons procurement for the Nigerian military to fight against the Boko Haram militants, but was confirmed diverted by Sambo Dasuki, the then National Security Advisor, to Dokpesi's Daar Holding and Investment Limited for the Nigerian presidential election of 2015 in favour of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The court charges, marked "FHC/ABJ/CR/380/2015" and filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) indicated that they are accused of violating the Money Laundering Act, the EFCC Act and the Public Procurement Act.[16] The presiding judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, granted bail to Mr. Dokpesi and adjourned the trial until 17 February 2016.[17]
On 22 March 2019, Dokpesi was returned to jail after being arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where he arrived after returning from medical treatment in Dubai, but was soon released.[18] In November 2019, he was granted the right to leave Nigeria for medical reasons despite the ongoing trial proceedings.[19]
On Thursday, 1 April 2021, Raymond Dokpesi was acquitted of all money laundering charges by the Federal Appeal Court of Nigeria.[20]
Illness and death
In 2020, Dokpesi and members of his family were hospitalised at the
Dokpesi died from a stroke on 29 May 2023, at the age of 71.[22]
Awards and honours
His hometown conferred two
References
- ^ "Raymond Dokpesi retires from Media outfit, hands over to son"}
- ^ "I never said PDP lost by fielding Jonathan - Dokpesi - Daily Post Nigeria". Daily Post Nigeria. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
- ^ "Alleged N2.1bn Fraud: Court Adjourns for Dokpesi to Present Documents". 18 March 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Dokpesi, two grandchildren recover from COVID-19, discharged". 15 May 2020.
- ^ Olu, Tayo (29 May 2023). "BREAKING: AIT's Raymond Dokpesi Dies In Abuja". The Whistler Newspaper. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
- ^ a b Oyinlola, M. (8 March 2005). Ordeals of the Nigerian media. Daily Sun on the web. Retrieved 29 May 2007 from http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/mediapeople/2005/Mar/08/mediapple-0 [dead link]
- ^ Kolapo, Y. (9 April 2006). Why wont I like women? I am the only son out of thirteen Children-Chief Raymond Dokpesi. Sunday Punch on the web. Retrieved 25 May 2007 from "The Punch on the Web - !". Archived from the original on 7 October 2007. Retrieved 14 June 2007.
- ^ "Raymond A. Dokpesi - High Chief Raymond A. Dokpesi". www.raymonddokpesi.com. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
- ^ "PDP Chairmanship: Dokpesi makes U-turn, congratulates Secondus". Premium Times Nigeria. 10 December 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
- ^ "Nigeria's Babangida aide arrest condemned". BBC News. 5 October 2010.
- ^ "Nigeria's Dokpesi sues secret police over bomb arrest". BBC News. 13 October 2010.
- ^ "Nigerian media mogul slaps suit on secret police". 13 November 2010.
- ^ "PDP apologizes to Nigerians for "mistakes of the past" - Premium Times Nigeria". Premium Times Nigeria. 11 November 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
- ^ "Fielding Jonathan for Election was an Error, Says PDP"
- ^ "FG Files Six-count Charge against Dokpesi accused for Money Laundering"
- ^ siteadmin (9 December 2015). "Dokpesi Pleads Not Guilty To 6 Count Charge Of Financial Crimes | Sahara Reporters". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
- ^ "Dasuki, Dokpesi, others charged with money laundering - Vanguard News". Vanguard News. 9 December 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
- ^ "AIT Founder, Dr Raymond Dokpesi Arrested at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport".
- ^ "Alleged N2.1bn fraud: Court grants Dokpesi's request to travel abroad for medical checkup". 12 November 2019.
- ^ "Arms Deal: Appeal Court quashes N2.1 billion money laundering charges against media mogul, Dokpesi". 1 April 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ^ a b "Raymond Dokpesi recovers from coronavirus". 14 May 2020.
- ^ "AIT chairman Raymond Dokpesi is dead". gistreel. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "Daily Independent Online". biafranigeriaworld.com. Retrieved 25 June 2018.