Conviction: Obi accepts Okupe’s resignation

The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has accepted the resignation of the Director-General of his campaign council, Dr Doyin Okupe.

Okupe tendered his resignation to Obi on Tuesday following his conviction by an Abuja High Court over money laundering charges.

The Federal High Court in Abuja had found Okupe guilty of receiving over N200 million cash from former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu in her ruling on Monday held that the action of Okupe, who is the first defendant in the suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), violated the Money Laundering Act.

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In his acceptance conveyed in a letter addressed to Okupe, yesterday, Obi disclosed that he hoped the legal system would afford Okupe, an opportunity to eventually clear his name.

Part of the letter reads; “I received your letter offering to step aside in order to avoid any distraction to the good work of trying to forge a new direction for our country, on board of which you have been from inception. It is a decision which I respect.

“The story of this historic effort, which has galvanised millions of our countrymen, particularly our youths, cannot be complete without mentioning your commitment, dedication, and the boundless energy that you brought to bear.”