Mr Ayobami Oluwarinu, a prosecution witness (pw13), on Wednesday told Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that Chief Raymond Dokpesi and his company, DAAR Investment Company Limited transferred the sum of N68,190,000 into the accounts of his two firms.
The witness, a Lagos based architect said his two companies, Archisynthesis Limited and Woodcountry Investment Limited were engaged by Dokpesi to construct studios, renovate his country-home in Edo state etc.
Archisynthesis is a design and build construction firm, while Woodcountry is into general business and supplies.
Upon examination by the prosecution counsel Oluwaleke Atolagbe, Oluwarinu said he knew about the case when the EFCC invited him for questioning.
“I got a call from EFCC that I should come to it’s Abuja office and clarify the transactions that took place between my companies and DAAR investment Limited, which entered into their accounts.
The witness admitted that the monies were transferred from accounts of DAAR Investment Company Limited to the accounts of Archisynthesis Limited and Woodcountry Investment Company Limited.
The bank document which showed the transactions was tendered before the court by Atolagbe, and the witness identified it as being valid.
Thereafter, the witness gave a vivid account of how the transactions were made.
“On January 26, 2015, the sum of N16.1 million was paid into Archisynthesis account from DAAR Investment and Holding Company Limited.
“On 29th January 2015, another N3.5m was paid into Archisynthesis” the witness disclosed.
Oluwarinu stated further that on February 6, 2015, the sum of N3.53 million was paid into Archisynthesis account, and on February 17th, 2015, another N13.34 million was paid to Archisynthesis.
The witness told the court that on 28th March, 2015, another N12.25 million was transferred from DAAR Investment Company Limited to the account of Archisynthesis, while N19.47 million was transferred to Wood country on 22 April 2015.
He said all the monies were for design and construction, renovation works at Dokpesi’s residence at Aghenegbode in Edo state.
“One of the studios work is in Kpaduma Asokoro, Abuja. Others are located across the country, because I’m his sole architect” Oluwarinu said.
He admitted using the money for the renovation of Dokpesi’s Country-Home in Edo state, which comprises of 3 or 4 bungalows.
“Dokpesi gave me instructions in terms of the building, and I have been working for him since 1993.
On whether or not there were documented agreements for the execution of the jobs, the witness said, “I cannot really recall whether we had oral or written agreement in doing jobs for him because my relationship with him is cordial and I have worked for him since 1993.
“The same thing goes for the studio construction” Oluwarinu said.
Upon cross examination by defence counsel Kanu Agabi SAN, the witness said he did not border to enter into any contractual agreement with Dokpesi, because of cordiality in their relationship.
Earlier, Dokpesi was rearraingned on a 7-count amended charge for allegedly receiving a whooping N2.1 billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser without executing any contract.
He was initially arraigned on December 9, 2015 before Justice Gabriel Kolawole on a 6-count charge bordering on money laundering, breach of public trust and procurement fraud.
After the matter was transferred to Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court Abuja, the defendants were re-arraigned on February 17, 2016 over allegations of money laundering and breach of public trust.
