Okupe Escapes Jail, Pays N13m Conviction Fine

by Oluwamuyiwa Oyedele

Doyin Okupe, Director General, Peter Obi Campaign Organisation on Monday evening, paid N13 million for the 52-year jail term bagged for N240 million money laundering offence.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justuce Ijeoma Ojukwu, in a judgment, had found Okupe guilty in 26 out of the 59 counts preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Recall that the court, presided over by Justice Ojukwu, had convicted Okupe for breaching the Money Laundering Act.

The judge held that Okupe was found guilty of contravening Sections 16(1) and (2) of the Money Laundering Act, for accepting cash payments without going through financial institution, in excess of the threshold allowed under the Act

Justice Ojukwu had ordered that the 26 counts, which attracted 2-year jail-term each, would run concurrently, meaning, the convict would only spend two years in prison.

The judge, however, gave an option of N500, 000 in each of the counts, amounting to N13 million, which must be paid before 4:30pm on Monday.

She ordered that if Okupe failed to meet the option of fine within the time frame, he should be taken to Kuje Correctional Centre to serve his prison term.

However, a check at the court at about 6pm showed that Okupe had paid the money.

Okupe was said to have received N240 million in cash from the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retired).

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