News
Late Raymond Dokpesi’s Estate Frozen Amid Alleged Fraudulent Sales; Family Warns Public Against Buying Assets
The warning comes after reports emerged of people selling off prized assets belonging to the late media mogul, High Chief Raymond Anthony Aleogho Dokpesi, two years after his passing.
The Dokpesi Family has issued a stern warning to the public against buying properties or assets allegedly being sold by individuals claiming to have the authority of the family.
The warning comes after reports emerged of people selling off prized assets belonging to the late media mogul, High Chief Raymond Anthony Aleogho Dokpesi, two years after his passing.
In a statement, the family announced that the entire estate of the late media mogul has been under probate proceedings since May 29, 2023, and all assets are frozen for sale, transfer, pledge, or loan until the lawful completion of the probate process.
“We have received troubling reports of people pretending to have authority and offering estate assets for sale. We are compelled to announce this publicly to protect unsuspecting buyers and to calm investors and the general public. No such transactions are valid without the authority of the probate court,” the family cautioned.
However, in a public notice announcement obtained by SaharaReporters on Wednesday, the family warned that anyone attempting to purchase or acquire assets purportedly from the estate does so at their own risk.
The statement titled, “Public Notice / Caveat,” partly reads, “the general public is hereby informed that the Estate of the late High Chief Raymond Anthony Aleogho Dokpesi (Ezomo of Weppa Wanno), who passed on 29 May 2023, is undergoing probate proceedings before the competent authorities in Nigeria.
“This estate includes, by extension, his ownership interests and assets in corporate entities such as: DAAR Investment & Holding Company Ltd; DAAR Communications PLC; As well as other public and private corporations, properties, and business interests.”
It added, “Accordingly, with effect from 29 May 2023 (the date of his passing), all assets forming part of his estate are deemed frozen for the purposes of sale, transfer, pledge, or loan until the completion of probate and the lawful distribution of his estate.
“Any person, institution, or organization that has attempted, or may attempt, to purchase, acquire, transfer, or otherwise deal with any of these assets after 29 May 2023 does so entirely at their own risk and without recourse to the estate or the family.”
“This notice serves as a caveat and a warning to protect the legacy of the late founder and to prevent unlawful dealings with his assets until due legal processes are concluded,” it reads.
The announcement comes amid governance tensions at DAAR Communications PLC, the parent company of AIT and Raypower, with insiders suggesting the move is intended to safeguard shareholder value and prevent fraudulent attempts to divest the estate of its assets.
The Dokpesi Family wants Nigerians and the international community to know that the legacy of High Chief Raymond Dokpesi is not up for grabs.
Sources told SaharaReporters that staff and employees are saddened by the development, with some buildings and assets reportedly sold off.
The late Chief Dokpesi, a Nigerian media businessman and politician, was born on October 25, 1951, and died on May 29, 2023.
Meanwhile, a family member who spoke to the media on Wednesday evening confirmed that the members had extensive consultations with their legal counsel.
“We have had extensive consultations as a family and with legal counsel. I will need to confirm what the status of things is,” the family member who spoke on condition of anonymity said.
The frontline Presidential aspirant for 2027 and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, on Monday led top Igbo leaders to the, Maitiama Abuja home of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The meeting lasted for about two hours and was attended by some South East leaders, including former Enugu State governor, Dr Okwesilize Nwodo, his Imo State counterpart, Chief Achike Udenwa, former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Senators Ben Obi and Victor Umeh, among others.
Obi who spoke to journalists after the meeting, disclosed that it was in continuation of consultations with former national leaders in the country regarding his presidential ambition.
The former Labour Party candidate is seeking the ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying they have not yet come for endorsement but for consultations and exchange of views.
Obi explained that the meeting was part of his consultations with former leaders.
“We need to consult them, especially someone like him (Jonathan) who served the country very faithfully, focused, and did what is expected in a democracy. In this declining situation, you consult him,” he said.
Obi had earlier visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida, among others, as part of his engagements with former Nigerian leaders.
He refused to disclose in detail, the outcome of the meeting, but simply added that Jonathan wished the country well.
“He wished that we had a free, fair, credible election.
“There can’t be a one-party system. He cannot support such a thing. Nobody can claim to be more of a democrat in this country than Jonathan,” Obi said.
He however stated that the former president has not endorsed him for president in 2027 because he has not come for that.
“We’re not talking about an endorsement yet. When I become a candidate, I’ll come back for endorsement. He wishes the country well. We are here to consult with him,” he added.
Mr. Suage Badey, son of late Chief Albert Badey, former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, says peace and reconciliation remain the only pathway to sustainable development in Ogoni land.
Badey made the assertion on Saturday in Port Harcourt at the 90th posthumous birthday celebration of his father, alongside the unveiling of the Albert Badey Centre for Development and its inaugural lecture.
He said that the era of grievances and acrimony in Ogoni land should give way to unity and collective progress.
“This is the time to move forward. We have no more grudges in our hearts. There is no need for continuous acrimony,” he said.
Badey urged Ogoni leaders to embrace dialogue in resolving differences, stressing that unity was critical to the advancement of the people.
“As we move into peace, the lives of those committed to this course should not be endangered,” he added.
In case you had forgotten, Chief Albert Badey and three other prominent Ogoni leaders were killed on May 21, 1994, during a meeting at Giokoo in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers.
Badey described his late father as a committed public servant who contributed significantly to the development of Ogoni land.
He said his father played key roles in the creation of four local government areas for the Ogoni people and the siting of a state polytechnic in Bori.
“If my father were alive, he would have called for forgiveness, even for those who took his life,” he said.
Badey said the establishment of the Albert Badey Centre for Development was aimed at immortalising his father and promoting development initiatives in the area.
“This project is inspired by his sacrifices and dedication to the people,” he said.
The court fixed April 29, April 30, May 4, and May 5 for the commencement of trial proceedings and the hearing of bail applications filed by the defendants.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has granted an accelerated hearing in the trial of six suspects accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The court fixed April 29, April 30, May 4, and May 5 for the commencement of trial proceedings and the hearing of bail applications filed by the defendants.
During proceedings, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, informed the court that the prosecution had witnesses available, subject to the convenience of the court.
Counsel for the first defendant, Mohammed Ilayepo, indicated that his client’s bail application was due for a hearing.
Justice Abdulmalik, however, ruled that the trial would commence before any bail applications were considered.
Counsel for the second, third, and sixth defendants, Paul Erokoro, A. I. Yeru, and N. S. Diri, respectively, expressed reservations about their readiness to proceed, citing the short notice given to them and the complex nature of the case.
Justice Abdulmalik then directed all counsel to agree on dates suitable for a speedy trial.
The court subsequently fixed the hearing dates for the accelerated trial.
The Federal Government had last Wednesday arraigned the suspects.
The defendants, including Major General Ibrahim Gana (retd), who was in a wheelchair; retired naval captain Erasmus Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani, pleaded not guilty to the 13-count charge when it was read in their hearing.
Following their plea of not guilty, Fagbemi asked that they be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) and for an expeditious trial.
Justice Abdulmalik, therefore, ordered an accelerated trial and that the defendants be placed in the custody of the DSS.
The case was adjourned to April 27 for trial and an accelerated hearing.
The government filed a 13-count charge against the suspects last Tuesday before the court against the suspects.
Also listed in the charge, but said to be at large, was a former Minister of Petroleum, Timiprye Sylva.
The charge, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), accused the defendants of offences ranging from alleged treason and terrorism to failure to disclose security intelligence and money laundering linked to terrorism financing.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired in 2025 “to levy war against the state to overpower the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.
Earlier, journalists were barred from covering the trial of six alleged coup plotters, raising concerns about the transparency in handling the matter.
Judiciary correspondents were on Monday left uncertain about developments in the case, particularly as the suspects’ bail application was pending before the court.
2027: Obi, Igbo leaders, consult with Jonathan in a closed-door meeting in Abuja
Peace, Reconciliation Only Path To Progress In Ogoni land — Badey
Court Grants Accelerated Hearing In Trial Of Alleged Coup Plotters
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