Hours after Dokpesi backing Tinubu, court orders EFCC to remove him from watchlist

Two days after Raymond Dokpesi had thrown his weight behind the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, for the 2023 presidency, the Federal High Court has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to remove him from its watch list.

The ruling, made by Chief Justice John Tsoho of the court’s Abuja Division on Monday held that there are no criminal charges or allegations currently raised against Mr Dokpesi.

Mr Tsoho ruled on an application filed and argued by Kanu Agabi on behalf of Mr Dokpesi.

The court held that a refusal of the EFCC to expunge Mr Dokpesi’s name from the watch list would amount to a disobedience of the Court of Appeal’s judgment quashing the N2.1 billion money laundering charges against him.

In April, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had dismissed the seven-count money laundering charges filed against Mr Dokpesi by the EFCC.

This new development comes after Mr Dokpesi threw his weight behind former Lagos state governor Bola Tinubu’s presidential aspirations.

Mr Dokpesi made his statements on Saturday, basing his support for Mr Tinubu on their friendship.

“He is a philanthropist; he is kind-hearted. He is supportive of the ordinary person available, and he has brought about bringing hope to people. For 2023, I wish him the very best in whatever he puts his hands on,” Mr Dokpesi said on Saturday.

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A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Dokpesi voiced his support of Mr Tinubu’s political aspirations during his 70th birthday celebration.

Reminiscing about his relationship with Mr Tinubu, Mr Dokpesi said, “As young men, we ate and drank together; we were close friends before he became governor.”

The PDP chieftain said his support for the APC national leader was not about politics. “It is a matter of the good relationship we have always had and I cherish it and I want to keep it.”

Mr Dokpesi also voiced his support for a northern presidency, saying it would be in line with the PDP’s agreement from a party convention in 2006.

His support comes after the governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, launched a political group for Mr Tinubu’s presidential campaign last week Thursday.

Nicknamed ‘SWAGA23’, the group kicked off 2023 campaign activities for Mr Tinubu, a former Lagos governor and Mr Sanwo-Olu’s political benefactor.

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