Akpobolokemi: former DG of NIMASA

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday fixed June 20 for continuation of trial of former Director-General of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi and nine others, charged with N34 billion conversion.

Akpobolokemi and the others were being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 40-count charge bordering on conversion.

The other accused persons were; Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd., Odimiri Electricals Ltd., Kemi Engozu, Boloboere Property and Estate Ltd., Rex Elem, Destre Consult Ltd., Gregory Mbonu and Capt. Warredi Enisuoh.

A former Niger-Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, now at large, was also listed in the charge.

The accused persons were standing trial before Justice Ibrahim Buba, and had all pleaded not guilty.

The case, which was slated for continuation of trial, was on Tuesday further adjourned by the court to June 20 and June 21.

The EFCC had on May 23 opened its case and fielded its first witness, Ahmed Ghali, a prosecutor with EFCC.

Ghali, who was led in evidence by Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court at the last adjourned date that a company, Global West Vessels Specialist Ltd., paid N700 million to NIMASA as kickbacks.

The witness said that NIMASA and the company, allegedly owned by Tompolo, entered into a Public Private Partnership agreement on April 3, 2012.

“The agreement was among other things, – for improvement of security within the Nigerian maritime domain, improvement of data collection, improvement of cabotage and revenue generation and enforcement.

“It was also meant for the improvement of safety of life at sea and enhancement of search and rescue, improvement in pollution control and management leading to cleaner waters,” he testified.

The witness had also testified that a benchmark for sea protection levy was altered, adding that in spite of protests, the alteration was approved by Akpobolokemi.

He had further told the court that investigation revealed that apart from the fraudulent payment of the sea protection to Global West, NIMASA also compromised the benchmark stipulated in Schedule III of the agreement.

According to him, Global West allegedly paid kickbacks to Akpobolokemi through a company in which he was a director.

Akpobolokemi is also facing trial before the same court on two separate criminal charges of conversion and theft.

In the instant charge, the accused allegedly conspired to convert about N34 billion which was said to be property of NIMASA.

The alleged offences contravened Sections 15, 15 (3), 18, and 18 (a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Amendment Act, 2012. (NAN)