Following his conviction on money laundering charges on Monday, Doyin Okupe, Director General of the Obi-Datti Campaign Organisation, stepped down yesterday.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court had found Okupe (a former Senior Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan), guilty of receiving over N200 million cash from a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki.
Consequently, the court sentenced Okupe to two years imprisonment, to run concurrently, or payment of a cash fine of 500,000 on each of the 26 count charges (N13, million) of money laundering preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a letter to Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Okupe, who has since been released after payment of the fine, wrote: “Dear Peter, You will recall that I briefed you yesterday about my personal travails in seeking justice and clearing my name using the Nigerian legal system to pursue same.
“I have invested too much in your campaign to allow my personal travails become a source of distraction.
“In the circumstances, I have opted to step aside and plead that you appoint a new campaign director general, who can continue the assignment with zero distractions. God bless you and family.”
Meanwhile, Obi, yesterday, indicated the conviction of Okupe will not break his resolve to become Nigeria’s president in 2023.
He made this known during an interactive session with journalists in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
In a statement by his media office, Obi was quoted as saying: “I am hearing about it (the conviction), just like you. I am still studying what is coming out of the courts and everything. I believe in the rule of law. It is not going to demoralise me.
“Today, when I arrived Akwa Ibom, somebody asked me why I haven’t been using my aircraft because it has been grounded and all that. And I said to him that nothing demoralises me.
“In my life, I have never stayed where they dropped me, otherwise I would have been where they dropped me before. This election, if they like, let them say anything about people who are around me. I will get there.”
Source: Guardian.ng
