The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced its case against the former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General, Patrick Akpobolokemi, at the Federal High Court in Lagos
The case, which hearing began on Monday is on the allegation that Akpobolokemi and others stole N2.6billion.
The former NIMASA boss was also accused of allegedly defrauding the federal government to the tune of N795.2million.
He was arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Buba along with three others-Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan-and three companies namely: Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited.
In a 22-count charge by the anti-graft commission, the accused persons were alleged to have converted a total of N2,658,957,666 between December 23, 2013 and May 28, 2015. The defendants however pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
At yesterday’s proceedings, the commission called its first witness, Teslim Ajuwon, who is the Compliance Officer at Zenith Bank.
He said he was responsible for enquiries from regulatory agencies such as the EFCC, the police, NDLEA among others.
Ajuwon alleged that he received enquiries from the EFCC for a report of activities on some accounts, including Aruwo Consulting Limited, Extreme Vertex Limited, Southern Options Limited, Green Lemon Services and Committee on ISPS.
He said the bank received a request to produce account opening package of the companies as well as their financial statements.
For instance, the witness said the fourth defendant, Governor Juan, was paid N11million on September 9, 2014, while Kenzo Logistics, also a defendant, got N10million the same day.
For the Committee on ISPS account, there was an inflow of N14.2million on June 17, 2014, from Access Bank; N21.2million on March 5, 2015; N16million on May 5, 2015 and N21.2million on June 18, 2015.
He said all the money was later disbursed, leaving only N1.4million as balance on June 18, 2015.
Ajuwon claimed that N10million was transferred to Uchenna Emenalo last June 19, while another N11million was transferred to him the same day.
He alleged that on August 29, 2014, there was a credit of N795.2million into the Committee on ISPS account from NIMASA, alleging that it was followed by several payments amounting to N27million to Ekene Nwauche between September 16 and November 18, 2014.
According to him, N318million was paid to Extreme Bracket on November 6, 2014, while Avant Guard Security Services got N94million.
Several other companies also received payments, as according to the witness, on January 8, 2015, Soko Global Services got N15.7million; Alfa Convoy got N6.9million; R-World Consulding got N70million, while O2 Services Plus Limited got N21.2million on March 5, 2015.
Ajuwon said last on May 28, 2015, NIMASA made a lodgement of N447million, which was also disbursed to different companies.
These include N95million to Avant Guard on May 28, 2015; N46million to R-World Consulting and N7million to Green Lemon Consulting.
During cross-examination by Akpbolokemi’s lawyer, the witness said he did not see the name of the first accused in the documents he tendered.
“I’ve looked through exhibits 1 to 12. I did not see the name of the first defendant,” he said.
Justice Buba adjourned till next Tuesday for continuation of trial.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that Festus Keyamo, the EFCC prosecutor, filed the suit, FHC/L/5539C/15, in which 16 of the counts alleged that Ekpemupolo, Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, Odimiri Electrical Ltd, Boloboere Property Estate, Kime Engozu and Simon John Adomene, who is currently at large, conspired amongst themselves between 2012 and 2014 to commit the offence, knowing that the two sums of money were proceeds of stealing.
The former NIMASA boss was re-arrested at the Federal High Court premises in Lagos by security agents on Monday, December 14 immediately his trial was adjourned to January 18, 2016 by Justice Ibrahim Buba.
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