Convict Okupe invokes ‘God’s mercy over enemies’ following lenient verdict
Convict Doyin Okupe has attributed his lenient sentencing on money laundering charges for which he was given an option of fine to ‘God granting him victory over his enemies.’
Justice Ifeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, sentenced Okupe to two years imprisonment with an option of N500,000 fine for contravening the Money Laundering Act.
The judge had discharged Okupe from over 30 charges but convicted him on two counts of failing to process through a financial institution the millions of naira he received from former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki.
Okupe, according to an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) statement, failed to account for the money during proceedings.
The anti-graft agency claimed that the funds was originally allocated to arms purchase but converted as a warchest by the out of office Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
At the time of committing the crime, Okupe was special adviser on media to former Nigerian leader Goodluck Jonathan. Several other PDP chieftains have been prosecuted, and some still being, over the arms purchase scandal.
Okupe crawled back into the limelight based on his support for Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi. He is the director-general of Obi campaign.
