LP party pays N13 million, stops Okupe being sent to Kuje prison

Following the conviction of the Director General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Dr Doyin Okupe to two years imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, the party said it has paid the option of fine to the tune of N13 million to stop him from being sent to prison.

Okupe was tried for money laundering by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu and sentenced to two years imprisonment or pay an option of N13 million fine.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed the suit that convicted the former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Okupe was said to have collected cash more than the sum allowed under the Money Laundering Act from the former Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

Charges, according to Court documents include, money laundering and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N702 million.

Labour Party PCC Media Officer, Diran Onifade, confirmed to journalists laye on Monday that the fine has been settled.

Meanwhile, the party had earlier scheduled a rally at Uyo on Tuesday, which was expected to be held smoothly.

Onifade said: “We are a party that respects the rule of law; our officials will obey court judgments promptly.

“However, appealing the judgment is a personal decision of Okupe and that the PCC cannot influence that.”