Raymond Dokpesi

Dokpesi started his early schooling with Loyola College Ibadan. After which he joined the Immaculate Conception College (ICC) Benin city where he was the pioneer member of Ozolua Play house, a dance/drama group. He did his undergraduate studies in the University of Benin Edo State and completed his studies in University of Gdansk, Poland where he earned his Doctorate degree in Marine Engineering. His studies, from secondary school to university level was sponsored by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur

In the early 1990s, as a result of the historic National Broadcasting Commission decree, according to Muyiwa Oyinlola (2004) Nigerian media was dominated by the government only. Information was only made possible from government owned broadcasting firms. However, the Head of State then General Ibrahim Babangida, issued another decree which allowed private broadcasting in Nigeria. After this decree came the first private television network in Nigeria, Africa Independent Television (AIT). AIT was pioneered by Dokpesi, and was also Africa's first satellite Television station.[5] Today Dokpesi is regarded as the media guru of Nigeria. Some also refer to him as the Ted Turner of Nigeria. Dokpesi not only pioneered the first satellite TV but also the first privately owned radio station in Nigeria. According to the journalist Kolapo (2006), Raymond claims that AIT set the standard for salary structure in the media industry in which Nigerian Television Authority imitated.[6]

Dr. Raymond Dokpesi started as the personal assistant to Alhaji Bamaga Tukur one of the general manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority. Dokpesi also served as a civil servant in the Federal Ministry of Transport under Alhaji Umaru Dikko and General Garba Wushishi. The association of Raymond Dokpesi with the likes of the Tukurs and the late Abiola, resulted in the birth of African Ocean Lines (AOL).

Dokpesi (2006) summarises African Ocean Lines; one of High Chief, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi first businesses was the first indigenous Shipping Line in Africa. It was established in the 1980s. Although the business did not last long, it contributed a great deal to the Nigerian shipping Industry as it helped formulate the Nigerian shipping act Decree 1986 which stated the sharing formula 40:20:20 for cargo between developed and developing countries.[7]

Dokpesi's accomplishments include:

• Established the first indigenous shipping line in Nigeria.
• Established the first privately owned radio station Raypower FM in Nigeria.
• Pioneered Nigeria's First global TV which was Africa's first ever Satellite TV station.
• Established the first TV station to run 24-hour broadcasting in Nigeria.
• Launched the African Independent signals in the United States.
• Chairman of the Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria.
• Helped in the formulation of the Nigerian Shipping Policy Act(decree) of 1986.

Dokpesi also has his hands in politics. One of his first political assignments was as a political campaign manager for the Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, which saw Tukur into the then Gongola state government house. He also assumed the same role during Alharji Adamu Ciroma presidential campaign, and Alharji Bamanga Tukur's presidential campaign in 1993.Likewise during Peter Odili's presidential campaign. Dokpesi was one of the leaders of the South-South People Assembly (SSPA) an organisation that seeks to promote south-south people of Nigeria. In 2017, Dokpesi contested for the PDP National Chairmanship position but lost to Uche Secondus.[8]

Dokpesi has received awards to his credit on behalf of DAAR Communications Plc, and has been conferred with titles from his hometown in appreciation of his tremendous efforts towards Nigeria. From his hometown, he was confined with two titles, two of which are only bestowed on worthy sons. He is Oghieumua and Ezomo of Weppa Wanno of Edo State and also the Araba of Osoro Land Okpe. According to Ojewale (2004), as mentioned during the Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award ceremony in Accra, and the Foundation for Excellence in Business Practice Geneva Switzerland, Dokpesi was praised for Daar communications rise to the top in Africa and contributions of Radio and Television station that has placed Nigeria on the world map.[9]

Raymond Dokpesi has built schools for community and also offered scholarships to prospective students into tertiary institutions.

On 4 October 2010, Dokpesi was arrested for his alleged role a Abuja car bombing.[10] He was released after spending nine hours in detention and afterwards sued the country's secret police for alleged wrongful imprisonment.[11][12]

On 11 November 2015 Dokpesi, on behalf of the PDP party, made a public apology due to the mismanagement of Nigeria under the PDP governments.

"Make no mistake, the PDP is aware that there were errors made along the way. We admit that at certain times in our past, mistakes have been made; we did not meet the expectations of Nigerians. We tender an apology. But the past is exactly what it is. We call on all party faithful, supporters and sympathisers to partner us going forward."[13]

He also criticised the PDP for fielding Jonathan Goodluck as the PDP's presidential candidate in the March 2015 elections.[14]

On 9 December 2015, Dokpesi and his company, Daar Holding and Investment Limited, were charged in the Federal High Court, Abuja in a USD2.1bn money laundering scam.[15] The FG claimed the money was budgeted for weapons procurement for the Nigerian military to fight against the Boko Haram militants, but was allegedly diverted by Dasuki Sambo, the then National Security Advisor, to Dokpesi's Daar Holding and Investment Limited for the Nigerian presidential election of 2015 in favour of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The court charges marked "FHC/ABJ/CR/380/2015" and filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) indicated that they are accused of violating the Money Laundering Act, the EFCC Act and the Public Procurement Act.[16] The presiding judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, granted bail to Mr. Dokpesi and adjourned the trial until 17 February 2016.[17]

On March 22, 2019, Dokpesi, who is still undergoing trial proceedings,[3][18][19] was returned to jail after being arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja, where he arrived after returning from medical treatment in Dubai, but was soon released.[20] In November 2019, he was granted the right to leave Nigeria for medical reasons despite the ongoing trial proceedings.[18] In March 2020, his trial was still ongoing and Dokpesi has even appeared in court.[3]

In 2020, Dokpesi and members of his family were hospitalized at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital after they were diagnosed with COVID-19.[4][21] Dokpesi and two of his grandchildren were discharged on May 14, 2020 after they all tested negative for remains of COVID-19.[22][21] At the time of this discharge, however, Dokpesi's son Raymond Jr. and other family members were still receiving treatment.[4]