The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, December 3, arraigned Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Akpobolokemi was arraigned alongside nine others, including two companies, before Justice Saliu Saidu of the Federal High Court in Lagos, The Nation reports.
The other nine offenders include: Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Felix Bob-Nabena, Capt. Warredi Enisuoh, Governor Juan, Ugo Fredrick, Timi Alari and two companies Al-Kenzo Limited and Peniel Engineering Services Limited.
They were arraigned on a 30-count charge bordering on conspiracy, fraudulent conversion of funds and money laundering
They were accused of conspiring among themselves to siphon N1.2billion belonging to NIMASA.
According to the EFCC, the alleged offence contravenes Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition/Amendment) Act of 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3).
A committee on intelligence was established by the agency under the watch of Apobolokemi with the second accused person, Agaba, as chairman
The statement reads: “The committee allegedly received a total sum of N1, 153,000,000 (One Billion, One Hundred and Fifty Three Million Naira Only) between December 2013 to July 2015.
“In disbursing the sum, the accused persons allegedly conspired and hired companies, which investigation revealed, were neither registered nor have requisite capacity to provide such services.
“Investigation further disclosed that most of the companies contracted were either nominated by the accused persons or are directly owned by them,” said the statement.
In the charge dated November 20, signed by Festus Keyamo and Rotimi Iseoluwa, the allegation before the accused persons shows that N1.2billion was siphoned between December 2013 and July 15 this year.
The charge reads: “On December 23, 2013, the defendants allegedly converted N861.5million. On July 7 and 15 this year, they allegedly converted N235.4million.”
- The statement reads: “The committee allegedly received a total sum of N1, 153,000,000 (One Billion, One Hundred and Fifty Three Million Naira Only) between December 2013 to July 2015.
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Akpobolokemi, Agaba, Nwakuche and Al-Kenzo were accused of converting N60million which they “derived from stealing.”
At the hearing, prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, prayed the court to remand the accused in prison and fix a date for trial.
But counsel representing the accused persons, however, filed for bail applications, praying the court to admit their clients to bail.
Justice Salihu however adjourned the case till January 29 for the commencement of trial.
He ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Ikoyi prison pending perfection of their bail terms.
In July, the EFCC arrested Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi, two weeks after he was fired from his post.
Akpobolokemi was arrested in Lagos and was detained at the Lagos office of the EFCC in the Ikoyi area of the city.
Source: Naij.com
Source: Naij.com
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