Rep. Bamidele Salam, a defence witness, on Monday, said Doyin Okupe a former senior special assistant on public affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, does not have a personal house in Abuja.
Salam told Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, while testifying in the ongoing money laundering trial filed against Mr Okupe and two others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The witness, who is currently a lawmaker representing Ede North, South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency of Osun, was the head of the media to Okupe.
Salam, who said he was placed on N300, 000 monthly salary while being led in evidence by Okupe’s counsel Joe Gadzama, also explained that he worked between December 3, 2012 and May 2015.
Salam said he neither laundered any money on Okupe’s behalf nor was he aware that his boss engaged in any money laundering act at the time of working with him.
“As far as I know, Dr Okupe did not have any personal house in Abuja.
“I never laundered any money for him and he never laundered money to my best knowledge.
“He is upright and we never found him wanting as our boss,” he said.
The witness, who stated further that he was not aware of any petition against the defendant on any matter, said EFCC or any other body had never invited him (Salam) on account of his stewardship as the head of the media to Okupe.
He said though he was aware that Okupe was on a monthly salary being paid through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, he did not know how much he was paid.
Okupe is facing a 59-count charge bordering on money laundering and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N702 million.
Justice Ojukwu, after the cross examination, fixed March 5, April 26 and April 27 for trial continuation.
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