Okupe appeals money laundering conviction

Former  Director-General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Doyin Okupe,  has appealed his conviction on money laundring charges by  the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Justice I. L. Ojukwu on December 19, 2022 convicted him of two counts of money laundering and sentenced him to two years imprisonment with an option of fine.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had told the court that Okupe received over N200m cash from a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), without going through the bank.

The anti-graft agency said he violated the provisions of the money laundering law.

In an appeal filed by his lawyer , Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, on Thursday, Okupe is seeking the reversal of his conviction.

He argued that he received the said sums in cash not in his individual capacity but for the Office of the Senior Special Adviser to the President  Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs.

He said he acted under the instructions of the ex-President and hence, he should not be penalised unjustly.

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