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Tag: Akpobolokemi

  • Akpobolokemi: I wasn’t involved in Okuama killings

    Akpobolokemi: I wasn’t involved in Okuama killings

    A former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, has said he was not involved in the movement or deployment of soldiers who were murdered at Okuama Community on March 16.

    He gave the Incorporated Trustees of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) a seven-day ultimatum to retract an alleged defamatory publication made against him.

    “Copy of the said apology must be sent to us for approval before publication,” Akpobolokemi’s lawyer, Eric Omare, wrote in a letter to ICIR.

    “Take notice that should you fail to comply with the demand to retract the false and libellous publication and tender a public apology to our client within one week of receipt of this letter, our client would have no option than to seek legal redress against you, the ICIR and its Trustees individually and collectively in court to protect his hard-earned reputation and shall be asking for punitive and exemplary damages in the sum of N100 billion against you.”

    The publication, according to Omare, was published on April 13 and entitled: “The hidden truth that led to killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama Community.”

    In the April 18 letter, the former NIMASA DG demanded that ICIR tender an unreserved apology to be published in three national newspapers, including its website (ICIR website) for seven consecutive days, within one week of the receipt of the letter.

    Omare stated that the allegation that Akpobolokemi was involved in dictating the deployment of military officers in the creeks of the Niger Delta region, which led to the gruesome murder of military officers at Okuama Community, is not only false but malicious, inciting, defamatory and unjustifiable.

    The letter reads “By your aforesaid publication, you falsely, maliciously and unjustifiably accused and branded our client as the person who built a white house on a disputed land and illegally, without authority, working alone or with Tompolo influenced and dictated the deployment of military officers to Okuama Community for illegal purpose.

    “You claimed that this led to the gruesome murder of the 17 soldiers in Okuama Community on the 16th day of March 2024.

    “The content of your publication was brought to the attention of our client by his friends, business associates, kinsmen, admirers, traditional and political from all over Nigeria and abroad and he has been inundated with calls up to the time of writing this letter.

    “Your publication, which implies that our client’s illegal activities in dictating deployment of military officers in the creeks of the Niger Delta region ultimately led to their gruesome murder at Okuama Community is not only false but malicious, inciting, defamatory and unjustifiable.

    “Our client was never involved in the movement or deployment of soldiers that were murdered at Okuama Community on the 16th of March, 2024 or any other date at all.

    “Our client did not influence or dictate the deployment of soldiers to Okuama Community to investigate the kidnap and release of Anthony Aboh or any other person kidnapped in the inter-communal crisis between Okuama and Okoloba Communities in Delta State or elsewhere as you falsely and unjustifiably published.

    “Our client is a private citizen and not a member of the Armed Forces with power to dictate or deploy soldiers or any personnel of the military or paramilitary or at all.

    “We have the instructions of our client to further state that late Anthony Aboh was not his ally and he did not build a white house on a disputed land at Okuama Community or elsewhere as you falsely claimed.

    “Our client, who was a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has never been convicted of an offence by any court of law in Nigeria or elsewhere.

    “He is a law-abiding citizen and has always lived within the confines of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and has never been involved in the illegal deployment of soldiers or engaged in a supremacy battle over the control of the creeks of the Niger Delta region at any time in his life.

    “Our client has, over the past decades promoted the rule of law in Nigeria in both his public and private activities and has not been found wanting in that regard.

    “By reason of your false, malicious and defamatory publication, our client has been exposed to ridicule and public opprobrium and he is now seen as being involved in the untimely, unfortunate and gruesome murder of 17 military officers through their illegal deployment to Okuama Community.

    “Our client states that considering the wide readership of your aforesaid false and libellous publication, his person and business reputation have been seriously injured.

    Read Also: Court acquits ex-NIMASA DG Akpobolokemi, one other of N8.5b fraud

    “Consequently, and without prejudice to our client’s right to seek legal redress under the relevant laws, we have his instructions to demand from you immediate retraction of your false and libellous publication and a public apology to be published in three national newspapers including in the website for seven consecutive days, within one week of the receipt of this letter.

    “Copy of the said apology must be sent to us for approval before publication.

    “Take notice that should you fail to comply with the demand to retract the false. libellous publication and tender a public apology to our client within one week of receipt of this letter, our client would have no option than to seek legal redress against you, the ICIR and its Trustees individually and collectively in court to protect his hard-earned reputation and shall be asking for punitive and exemplary damages in the sum of N100 billion against you.”

  • BREAKING: Court acquits Ex-NIMASA DG, Akpobolokemi, one other of N8.5BN fraud

    BREAKING: Court acquits Ex-NIMASA DG, Akpobolokemi, one other of N8.5BN fraud

    A Federal High Court sitting at Ikoyi, Lagos, has discharged and acquitted former director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi of an alleged N8,537,586,798. 58 billion fraud, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Justice Ayokunle Faji, discharged and acquitted the former NIMASA director-general, today April 22, 2024, while delivering a ruling on a no-case submission filed by him and four defendants, in a 22-count charge against them.

    Akpobolokemi was arraigned before the court alongside Major-General Emmanuel Atewe (rtd), a former Commander of the Joint Task Force Operation Pulo Shield, and two other staff of the agency, Kime Engonzu and Josphine Otuaga.

    In discharging and acquitting Akpobolokemi and one Josephine Otuaga, a staff of NIMASA, Justice Faji held that the EFCC failed to establish a prima facie (sufficient evidence) case against them.

    However, he ruled that a former Commander of the Joint Task Force Operation Pulo Shield, Major-General Emmanuel Atewe (rtd), (second defendant), and a Staff of NIMASA, Kime Engonzu (third defendant), have to open their defence because they have a case to answer in counts 12 to 22 of the charge.

    Akpobolokemi had in a no-case submission filed by his lawyers, Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN) leading with Collins Ogbonna, prayed the court for an acquittal without having him present a defence.

    He stated that the prosecution, with all its witnesses and evidence tendered while making its case, failed to link him to the alleged crimes.

    The defendants are being prosecuted for an amended 22-count charge bordering on conspiracy; conversion; and stealing (by fraudulent conversion).

    One of the counts reads: “That you, Patrick Ziadeke Akpobolokemi, Major General Emmanuel Atewe, Kime Engozu, and Josphine Otuaga sometime in 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Court, with intent to defraud, conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: Conversion of the sum of N8,537,586,798.58 property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.”

    They had pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, thereby prompting the commencement of their trial.

    Upon conclusion of the prosecution’s case, all the defendants opted for no-case submission.

    Delivering its Ruling, Justice Faji held that none of the witnesses called by the Prosecution led any shred of evidence linking the first defendant, Patrick Ziadeke Akpobolokemi, and the fourth defendant to the offences they were charged for.

    Read Also: N754.8m fraud: Court orders ex-NIMASA DG,<br>Akpobolokemi, to open defence

    The court held that having regard to the totality of evidence led by the prosecution failed to provide any credible evidence linking the first defendant with the commission of the crimes alleged against him in Counts 1-11 of the first amended Charge and/or established a prima facie case against him warranting him to enter upon his defence.

    The court also noted that out of the eleven witnesses fielded by the Complainant, only one witness, (PW 2), gave evidence where the name of the first defendant (Akpobolokemi) featured, while other witnesses made it abundantly clear that, they did not know the first Defendant and did not have any dealings with him.

    “If there is no sufficient evidence linking the accused with the statutory elements and ingredients a court of trial must as a matter of law discharge him. It has no business searching for evidence what is nowhere and therefore cannot be found,” the Court held.

  • N2.6bn fraud: Appeal Court acquits Akpobolokemi

    The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, on Friday discharged and acquitted a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi of a N2.6billion fraud charge.

    A three-man panel of the court led by Justice Yargatta Nimpar overruled the decision of Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos, who, on October 16, 2017, dismissed Akpobolokemi’s no-case submission.

    Justice Nimpar, who read the appellate court’s judgment, upheld Akpobolokemi’s contention that he had no case to answer in response to the charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The EFCC had on December 4, 2015, arraigned Akpobolokemi alongside five others for allegedly diverting N2.6billion belonging to NIMASA between December 2013 and May 2015.

    The anti-graft agency claimed that the funds were approved by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan for the implementation of a security project tagged: “International Ship and Ports Security Code in Nigerian Ports.”

    Akpolokemi’s co-defendants were Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Blockz and Stonz Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistics Limited.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty to the 22-count charge following which the EFCC opened its case, calling 12 witnesses and tendering 77 exhibits in a bid to prove the allegation.

    Upon the closure of its case in 2017, the defendants filed no-case submissions, contending that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against them.

    But Justice Buba dismissed their submissions.

    The judge held: “From the evidence of the first prosecution witness, it is well established that all the defendants have case to answer; the exhibits tendered and the testimonies of other witnesses have established that there is a prima facie case against the defendants.”

    Displeased, however, they approached the Court of Appeal, which discharged and acquitted Akpobolokemi of the entire 22 charges.

    However, the five other appellants were not discharged as the court upheld Justice Buba’s verdict that they had a case to answer.‎

     

  • Court orders Akpobolokemi to explain role in alleged N2.6b fraud

    Court orders Akpobolokemi to explain role in alleged N2.6b fraud

    A FEDERAL High Court in Lagos has ordered a former Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, to explain his role in an alleged N2.6 billion fraud.

    Justice Ibrahim Buba overruled and dismissed the “no case” submission filed by Akpobolokemi and five other co-defendants.

    The other defendants are: Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan and two firms, Blockz and Stonz Ltd and Al-Kenzo Logistic Ltd.

    The judge ordered them to enter their defence on October 30.

    Justice Buba said the arguments on the no-case submission by defence counsel, Joseph Nwobike SAN, was without merit.

    He upheld the argument of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its counsel Rotimi Oyedepo that a prima facie case had been established against the defendants.

    Justice Buba said: “From the evidence of the first prosecution witness, it is well-established that all the defendants have a case to answer.

    “The exhibits tendered and testimonies of other witnesses have established that there is a prima facie case against the defendants. I see no merit in this application. This application lacks merit, so, it is overruled. The defendants should open their defence to prove their innocence”.

    On December 4, 2015, the EFCC arraigned the defendants on a 22-count charge of diverting N2.6b from NIMASA coffers between December 2013 and May 2015.

    The anti-graft agency claimed that the funds were approved by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan for the implementation of a security project.

    The alleged offences contravene Section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecution closed its case after calling 12 witnesses.

    But the defendants, rather than open their defence, filed no-case submissions, claiming that the EFCC failed to link their clients with the alleged funds diversion.

    Specifically, Nwobike said Akpobolokemi could not be liable because ex-President Jonathan and not Akpobolokemi approved the security project and the money disbursed.

    Other defendants’ counsel, Mr. Seni Adio (SAN), Ige Asemudara and Emeka Onyeke similarly urged the court to hold that the prosecution failed to link their clients to the alleged crime.

    But opposing the application, the prosecution maintained that the testimonies of the 12 witnesses called and the 77 exhibits tendered had successfully linked Akpobolokemi and others to the alleged fraud.

     

     

  • EFCC re-arraigns ex-JTF commander, Akpobolokemi, for alleged N8.5bn fraud

    EFCC re-arraigns ex-JTF commander, Akpobolokemi, for alleged N8.5bn fraud

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arraigned former Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield, Major General Emmanuel Atewe, for alleged N8.5billion fraud.

    Atewe was charged along with former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General Patrick Akpobolokemi.

    The prosecution, which also named Kime Engozu and Josephine Otuga in the charge, said NIMASA, under Akpobolokemi, approved billions of naira to several military personnel who were purportedly engaged to patrol the creeks to prevent pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering.

    The funds, EFCC said, were allegedly diverted to private accounts through fraudulent means.

    The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants conspired among themselves to defraud NIMASA of N8.5billion  using six companies – Jagan Limited, Jagan Trading Company Limited, Jagan Global Services Limited, Al-Nald Limited, Paper Warehouse Limited, Eastpoint Integrated Services Limited and De-Newlink Integrated Services Limited.

    They pleaded not guilty.

    Their re-arraignment was sequel to the transfer of the former trial judge, Justice Saliu Saidu, from Lagos to the Port Harcourt division.

    The accused were re-arraigned before a new judge, Justice A.O Faji, and their pleas taken afresh.

    After their re-arraignment, defence counsel prayed the court to allow the defendants continue on the earlier bail granted by the previous judge.

    Atewe, Engozu and Otuaga were each granted N100million bail each with two sureties in like sum by Justice Saidu.

    One of the sureties, the judge said, must be a relative and must own a landed property within Ikoyi, Lekki or Victoria Island.

    The other surety must be a civil servant not below a Deputy Director in either the state or Federal Civil Service.

    He ordered all the defendants to deposit their international passports with the court’s Chief Registrar until trial is concluded.

    Justice Faji upheld the bail conditions.

    One of the counts reads in part: “That you, Patrick Ziadeke Akpobolokemi, Major-General Emmanuel Atewe, Kime Engozu and Josphine Otuaga, sometime in 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court, with intent to defraud, conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sum of N8,537,586,798.58, property of NIMASA and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

    Justice Faji adjourned till February 13 and 17 for trial.

     

  • Akpobolokemi gets new trial date

    Akpobolokemi gets new trial date

    The trial of former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General Patrick Akpobolokemi was stalled yesterday due to the absence of a prosecution witness, Orji Kalu.
    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigator was said to have travelled to the United Kingdom with the commission’s acting chairman Ibrahim Magu for a meeting with the National Crime Agency (NCA).
    The was trial lated for January 9 to 13 for the defence counsel to cross-examine Orji, who is the 11th and last prosecution witness.
    Prosecution counsel Mr Marcel Umeh said he got to know about Orji’s unavailability late.
    Justice Ibrahim Buba, who said he was in court despite it being his 59th birthday, adjourned until February 28.
    “I am 59 years old today (yesterday), and I am here in court prepared to go on with the matter hoping we would make progress. If I had this idea that the court will not sit then I wouldn’t have bothered.
    “This is the only case listed in my diary for the week and I came here with the hope that there would be a remarkable progress,” he said.
    Akpobolokemi was accused of converting N2.6billion from NIMASA. He was also accused of defrauding the Federal Government to the tune of N795.2million.
    He was arraigned along with Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan – and three companies, namely Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited.
    They pleaded not guilty.

  • EFCC re-arraigns Akpobolokemi,ex-JTF commander

    EFCC re-arraigns Akpobolokemi,ex-JTF commander

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arraigned an ex-director and former security chief at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
    Patrick Akpobolokemi, ex- director-general, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and former Joint Task Force (JTF) Commander Maj. Gen Emmanuel Atewe were re-arraigned for alleged money laundering.
    They were accused of converting N8.5 billion from NIMASA for their personal use.
    Akpobolokemi and Atewe were re-arraigned with Kime Engozu and Josephine Otuaga before Justice Saliu Saidu on 22-count of money laundering.
    They allegedly committed the offence in 2014.
    EFCC said the defendants converted the money through various companies, such as Jagan Trading Company Ltd, Jagan Global Services Ltd, Al-Nald Ltd, Paper Warehouse Ltd, Eastpoint Integrated Services Ltd and De-Newlink Integrated Services Ltd.
    They allegedly converted N1.8 billion on September 5, 2014, N2 billion on May 20, 2015, and other amounts, using the companies.
    The prosecution alleged that Atewe indirectly used N170.3 million belonging to JTF Operation Pulo Shield to acquire 30,000 units of shares, titled: “MTN Linked Units”, “an amount he reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of stealing”.
    The former JTF commander was alleged to have also acquired property measuring 50 hectares at Kuje and another 13.032.10 square metres at Kubwa, both in Abuja.
    He also allegedly used JTF’s N763.3million to acquire property in Plot MF62 outer Northern Expressway, Cadastral Zone in Abuja, in the name of his company, E.J-Joe Ltd, as well as others in Lugbe, Kuje, between 2014 and last year.
    Engozu and Otuaga were said to have received cash exceeding the amount authorised by law without going through a financial institution.
    EFCC said Engozu received $22.5 million on November 7, 2014; Otuaga received $527,500 on October 31.
    The alleged offence contravenes Section 18(c) of the Money Laundering Act 2012 and punishable under Section 13(3).
    The defendants pleaded not guilty.
    A prosecution witness, Adamu Usman, who is an EFCC operative, testified that the N8.5 billion was allegedly transferred from NIMASA to JTF, from where it was moved to various companies and laundered by the accused.
    Justice Saidu adjourned till February 3 and 20 for continuation of trial.

  • Akpobolokemi, others stole N1.5b from NIMASA, says witness

    Akpobolokemi, others stole N1.5b from NIMASA, says witness

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alleged that a former Director-General of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi and nine others converted N1.5 billion from the agency’s intelligence committee.

    Prosecution witness Kanu Idagu yesterday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that the defendants set up several committees through which they allegedly laundered billions of Naira.

    The defendants are being tried for a 40-count charge of converting to their personal use, over N3.4 billion belonging to NIMASA.

    The second to seventh defendants are Capt Bala Agaba; Ekene Nwakuche; Felix Bob-Nabena; Capt Warredi Enisouh; Governor Juan; Ugo Frederick and Timi Alari.

    Also charged are two companies – Al-kenzo Ltd and Penniel Engineering Services Ltd.

    They were alleged to have committed the offences between December 2013 and July 2015.

    According to the EFCC, the offences contravened sections 15 (1), (3), and 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (prohibition) Amendment Act, 2012.

    The defendants were admitted to bail after pleading not guilty.

    At resumption of trial yesterday, Idagu introduced himself as head of an EFCC Special Task Force, which co-ordinates investigations and carries out searches and arrest.

    Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Festus Keyamo, he said the commission received a petition in the last quarter of 2015, on NIMASA during the Akpobolokemi’s tenure.

    His team, Idagu added, investigated and found that NIMASA set up various committees for laundering money through firms and bureaux de change.

    He mentioned a committee on intelligence headed by the second defendant (Agaba), with an Access Bank account 0688939609 opened for the receipt of money.

    “Between December 20, 2013, and July 7, 2015, the committee received money in tranches, running into N1.5 billion.

    “The chairman of the committee raised several internal memos to the director of Finance and Accounts, wherein it was claimed that the funds were to be used for intelligence-based security activities.

    “The companies used in furtherance of these activities were either owned or nominated by NIMASA staff for their personal use,” Idagu said

    According to the witness, one of such companies was Aler Integrated Services Ltd, whose head was Uche Obilor.

    He added: “Another company is Kofa Fada Ltd, a bureau de change, which the second defendant instructed Obilor to transfer N10 million into.

    “Two million naira was also transferred into the account of Al-Kenzo Logistics, whose alter ego is the third accused, Ekene Nwakuche.

    “The second defendant also made a claim of a business contract between NIMASA and Kofa Fada Ltd, with N26 million transferred to the company’s account, while the dollar equivalent was handed to him.

    “The second defendant also transferred N86 million to Usseinian Ltd and the dollar equivalent transferred to him.”

    The witness identified the third defendant (Nwakuche), who was personal assistant to the second defendant, as the person responsible for coordinating accounts for the purpose of diverting money.

    He said the third defendant formulated an Enterprise Bank account in the name of Adams CDA Global Services, belonging to one of his friends, into which he transferred N120 million.

    He claimed that the dollar equivalent was handed over to the second defendant.

    The witness alleged that the third defendant also nominated an Access Bank account for Gidoga Investment Ltd, into which N65 million was transferred.

    He said in all N422.680 million was transferred to the second defendant, who claimed that same was remitted to the first defendant.

    After the witness’ oral testimony, the prosecutor prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him present documentary evidence.

    Justice Saliu Saidu upheld his application and adjourned till December 15 and 19 for continuation of trial.

     

  • Ex-JTF commander, others‎ arraigned for N8b fraud

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned former Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Atewe for alleged N8 billion fraud.

    ‎Atewe, now Chief of Logistics, Defence Headquarters, was charged along with former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General, Patrick Akpobolokemi.

    ‎The charge before Justice Saliu Saidu of the Federal High Court in Lagos is the sixth the EFCC would file against Akpobolokemi.

    The prosecution, which also named Kime Engozu and Josephine Otuga in the charge, said NIMASA, under Akpobolokemi, approved billions of naira to several military personnel, who were purportedly engaged to patrol the creeks to prevent pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering.

    ‎The funds, EFCC said, were allegedly diverted to private accounts through fraudulent means.

    ‎The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants conspired among themselves to defraud NIMASA of N8.5billion using six companies – Jagan Limited, Jagan Trading Company Limited, Jagan Global Services Limited, Al-Nald Limited, Paper Warehouse Limited,  Eastpoint Integrated Services Limited and De-Newlink Integrated Services Limited.

    They pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Defence counsel including Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) urged the court to grant the defendants bail.

     

  • EFCC to arraign ex-JTF commander, Akpobolokemi, others June 3

    EFCC to arraign ex-JTF commander, Akpobolokemi, others June 3

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will on June 3 arraign former Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Atewe for alleged N8billion fraud.

    Atewe, now Chief of Logistics, Defence Headquarters, was charged along with former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General Patrick Akpobolokemi.

    The new charge before Justice Saliu Saidu of the Federal High Court in Lagos is the sixth the EFCC would file against Akpobolokemi.

    The arraignment was stalled after Akpolobokemi objected to the reading of the 11 counts because, according to him, he was not served with the charge and proof of evidence.

    Akpolobokemi said he was not aware of the scheduled arraignment, adding that he left the hospital to attend his trial in another criminal charge before Justice Ibrahim Buba.

    He said neither he nor his lawyer, who was absent, was notified about the arraignment.

    But, EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo said the charge and proof of evidence were served on the accused lawyer’s  firm, Dr. Joseph Nwobike & Co., which was received by one of the lawyers in the chambers.

    The prosecution, which also named Kime Engozu and Josephine Otuga in the charge, said NIMASA, under Akpobolokemi, approved billions of naira to several military personnel, who were purportedly engaged to patrol the creeks to prevent pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering.

    The funds, EFCC said, were allegedly diverted to private accounts through fraudulent means.

    One of the counts reads in part: “That you, Patrick Ziadeke Akpobolokemi, Major-General Emmanuel Atewe, Kime Engozu and Josphine Otuaga, sometime in 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court, with intent to defraud, conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: Conversion of the sum of N8,537,586,798.58, property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”