A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has narrated how he personally delivered $15 million in cash to Patrick Akpobolokemi, former director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
The witness, who identified himself as Ezekiel Bala-Agaba, a
former executive director of maritime safety, shipping development and marine
operations at NIMASA, testified at the federal high court in Lagos.
The witness was initially a defendant in the case but later
opted to testify for the prosecution
THE CASE
Akpobolokemi was appointed as NIMASA DG in 2010 by former
President Muhammadu Buhari. He was sacked by Buhari in 2015.
In December 2015, the EFCC arraigned Akpobolokemi and seven
others on a 30-count charge bordering on conspiracy, fraudulent conversion of
funds and money laundering.
Other defendants are Warredi Enisuoh, Governor Juan, Ugo
Frederick, Timi Alari, Alkenzo Limited and Penniel Engineering Services
Limited.
The EFCC alleged that the defendants conspired to divert
over N1.15 billion under the guise of providing security intelligence in
Nigeria’s maritime domain.
The EFCC had also arraigned the former NIMASA boss in
different courts over alleged fraud and stealing.
THE TESTIMONY
Led in evidence by Suleiman Suleiman, counsel to EFCC,
Bala-Agaba said $15 million meant for pipeline surveillance was withdrawn from
NIMASA’s accounts, converted into dollars, and handed over to Akpobolokemi.
The EFCC witness said the money was taken to a bureau de
change operator, who converted it into $15 million before the cash was
delivered to NIMASA office at Burma road, Apapa.
The witness said he, subsequently, took the money to the
office of Akpobolokemi.
“The money was sent to a bureau de change, which later
brought the dollar equivalent to our office at Burma Road, Apapa, Lagos,” the
witness said.
“I asked my personal assistant, Ekene Nwakuche, to carry the
bag and follow me to the director-general’s office.
“When we got to the door of the director-general’s office, I
collected the bag from him and asked him to wait outside. I then personally
delivered the sum of $15 million to the director-general.”
While he was giving his testimony, the witness was shown a
document containing a letter from Access Bank to the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC) detailing transactions in NIMASA’s accounts between
2013 and 2015.
When asked how much money he took to the former
director-general, he responded, “$15 million”.
After listening to the testimony, Ayokunle Faji, the trial
judge, adjourned the matter to April 22 and 23 for continuation of trial.
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