Embattled founder of DAAR Communications Plc, High Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi, yesterday breathed the air of freedom. He was released from Kuje Prisons after fulfilling his bail conditions.

Dokpesi was released to his counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), accompanied by Dokpesi’s son, Raymond Jnr., and wife, Tosin.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on Tuesday granted bail to Dokpesi, who is standing trial for alleged money laundering in a suit brought against him by the Federal Government.

Dokpesi was slammed with a six-count charge of alleged money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as part of the on-going probe into the controversial $2.1 billion arms deal, where he admitted to have collected N2.1 billion from the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.) but explained that it was for a legitimate business transaction.

Ruling on the bail application on Tuesday, Justice Kolawole said Dokpesi should be granted bail on the condition that he provides two sureties with N200 million each.

“The first surety should be a serving or retired director in the civil service,” the judge ruled. He said that the second surety should be a private investor who has paid tax in the last three years.

Justice Kolawole stressed that Dokpesi should not be re-arrested for questioning for over eight and a half hours any time the EFCC plans to continue with its investigation.

•Photo shows Dokpesi.