Money Laundering: Doyin Okupe to pay N500,000 fine or risk two years in prison

Justice Ijeoma Ojuwku of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced Doyin Okupe, the director-general of the Peter Obi presidential campaign, two years imprisonment following a guilty verdict on charges of money laundering and diversion of funds.
Mr Okupe was earlier today found guilty of 26 counts (34-59) out of the 59 charges on allegations of syphoning N10 million on multiple occasions between 2012 and 2015 while serving as Senior Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
In her ruling on Monday afternoon, Justice Ojukwu, who is the presiding judge in the case dating back to 2019 brought against the Ogun-born politician by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), handed Mr Okupe a two-year imprisonment sentence.
However, the court gave Mr Okupe an option of N500,000 fine which should be paid before 4:30 p.m. of Monday, December 19, certifying the acceptance of a guilty verdict, or file an appeal and be taken into custody until further directives.
Meanwhile, Mr Okupe wasn’t found guilty by the Judge on counts 1 to 33 on the basis that the EFCC failed to establish the offence of money laundering and criminal breach of trust and corruption against former NSA Sambo Dasuki.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

NationWide
CJN seeks strong legal protection for maritime sector
Mrs Kekere-Ekun described maritime law as one of the principal pillars supporting global commerce.

NationWide
NAFDAC begins nationwide mop-up of banned sachet alcohol
The agency stated that the nationwide exercise underscored its commitment to protecting public health.

States
Kano assembly adopts bill to establish state electricity agency
The speaker said the bill would now be transmitted to the executive arm for assent.

States
Benue varsity ASUU suspends seven-week strike
ASUU-MOAUM commenced an indefinite strike on June 1 over unresolved welfare and governance issues.

Anti-Corruption
Nigerian pharmacist Olushola Yusuf convicted of drug trafficking, flooding Florida community with 335,000 oxycodone pills
Ms Yusuf charged “extraordinary cash prices, served drug dealers and customers who travelled long distances, and put profit ahead of patients”.

Heading 2
Police nab three suspected cultists in Lagos
The command’s spokesperson said the suspects were arrested following credible information from members of the public.





