Alleged N3.7bn theft: Ex-NIMASA boss, Akpolobokemi, 9 others’ trial adjourned

Justice Saliu Seidu, of a Federal High Court, Lagos has fixed Thursday, February 18, 2016, for ruling on admissibility of a document tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the trial of the immediate past Director-General Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Patrick Ziadeke Akpolobokemi, and nine others.

The accused persons are facing 30 count-charge bordering on alleged theft of N3.7 billion brought against them by the anti-graft agency.

Those charged alongside Akpolobokemi are: Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche Felix Bob-Nabena, Captain Warredi Enisouh, Governor Amechee Juan, Ugo Frederick and Timi Alari; and two limited liability companies: Al-kenzo Limited and Penniel Engineering Services Limited.

At the resumed trial of accused persons on Wednesday, the EFCC called its first witness, an officer with Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Teslim Adekunle, who claimed to be responsible for enquiries from regulatory agencies: such as EFCC, the Nigeria Police Force NDLEA and others.

While being led in evidence by lawyer to the EFCC, Mr. Festus Keyamo, informed the court that Zenith Bank Plc, had, between August and December 2015, received several enquiries from EFCC, among which were request to produce the statement of account, opening package and certificate of identification of three companies, namely: Interwind Limited, Margai Intergerated Limited and Grandpact Limited.

However, the matter was adjourned following a heated legal argument on another document on Thlumba Enterprise Limited, which the prosecution had earlier tendered but called for its withdrawal, after Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN), the counsel for Akpolobokemi, and other lawyers for accused persons, had objected to the admissibility of the document and wanted the court to mark it as “reject”, on the ground that it was a photocopy.

Justice Saidu adjourned the matter till today to rule on the admissibility of the document and continuation of accused persons’ trial.

The EFCC witness had earlier informed the court that the original copy of the document was in the archive of the bank.

In a charge number FHC/L/496c/15, the anti-graft agency alleged that Akpolobokemi and other accused persons, had on or before December 20, 2013, conspired among themselves to convert the said sum which was derived from stealing.

The alleged offences according to the EFCC prosecutors, Mr. Festus Keyamo and Rotimi Oyedepo, were contrary to and punishable under Section 18 (a) and 15(1) of the Money Laundering Prohibition (Amendment) Act 2012, and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

Count one of the charge read: “That you Patrick Ziadeke Akpolobokemi; Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba; Ekene Nwakuche; Felix Bob-Nabena; Captain Warredi Enisouh; Governor Amechee Juan; Ugo Frederick and Timi Alari, Al-kenzo Limited and Penniel Engineering Services Limited on or about 20th day of December, 2013, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit; conversion of the sum of N1,151,214.00, (One billion, one hundred and fifty one million, two hundred and forty thousand naira), property of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, which was derived from stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition (Amendment) Act. 2012, and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.”

The accused persons had pleaded not guilty to all the counts charge and were subsequently granted bail by the Court.

Akpolobokemi and other accused persons are also facing another criminal charges of alleged fraud of N2.6 billion, and another criminal charge of N34 billion alongside Ex-Niger/Delta militant leader, Government ‘Tompolo’ Ekpolodomu, before Justice Ibrahim Nasir Buba of a Lagos Federal High Court, and another criminal charge of N754.8 million fraud, before an Igbosere High Court of Lagos State.