More Trouble for Akpobolokemi As Witness Tells Court How NIMASA Spent N2.6bn...See Details

 

The Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday, January 18, heard how part of the N2.6 billion allegedly stolen by a former Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General, Patrick Akpobolokemi, was shared.

 

Akpobolokemi was also accused of defrauding the Federal Government of N795.2 million.

 

He was arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Buba with three others – Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan – and three companies; Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited.

 

In a 22-count by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), they were accused of allegedly converting  N2,658,957,666 between December 23, 2013 and May 28, last year. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the counts.

 

EFCC, which opened trial yesterday, 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, police and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), among others.

 

Ajuwon said he received enquiries from EFCC for a report of activities on some accounts, including R-World Consulting Limited, Extreme Vertex Limited, Southern Options Limited, Green Lemon Services and Committee on ISPS.

 

He said the bank received a request to produce the companies’ account opening package as well as their financial statements.

 

For instance, the witness said the fourth defendant, Governor Juan, was paid N11 million on September 9, 2014, while Kenzo Logistics got N10 million.

 

For the Committee on ISPS account, there was an inflow of N14.2 million on June 17, 2014, from Access Bank; N21.2 million on March 5, 2015; N16 million on May 5, 2015; and N21.2 million on June 18, 2015.

 

He said the monies were disbursed, leaving N1.4 million on June 18, 2015.

 

Ajuwon said N10 million was transfered to Uchenna Emenalo on June 19, 2015; while another N11 million was transfered to him the same day.

 

He said on August 29, 2014, there was a a credit of N795.2 million into the Committee on ISPS account from NIMASA.

 

The witness said it was followed by several payments amounting to over N27 million to Ekene Nwauche between September 16 and November 18, 2014.

 

According to him, N318 million was paid to Extreme Bracket on November 6, 2014, while Avant Guard Security Services got N94 million.

 

According to the witness, last January 8, Soko Global Services got N15.7 million; Alfa Convoy got N6.9 million; R-World Consulding got N70 million, while O2 Services Plus Limited got N21.2 million on March 5, 2015.

 

Ajuwon said on May 28, 2015, NIMASA made a lodgment of N447 million, which was also disbursed to various companies.

 

They include N95 million to Avant Guard on May 28; N46 million to R-World Consulting and N7 million to Green Lemon Consulting.

 

During cross-examination by Akpbolokemi’s lawyer, the witness said he did not see the first accused’s name in the documents he tendered.

 

“I’ve looked through exhibits 1-12. I did not see the name of the first defendant,” he said.

 

It took the witness almost 30 minutes to look through the documents for Akpobolokemi’s name.

 

During the intervening period, Justice Buba joked that it was the longest he ever had to wait for an answer during a trial. “If I sleep, please wake me up,” he joked.

 

When the judge announced that the trial would be day-to-day, some of the defence counsel protested, saying they have other cases before other courts.

 

However,  the judge insisted that the trial must continue the next day, saying it was in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, which provides that criminal trials must be daily.

 

Amid protests, he adjourned for continuation of trial today.