The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Akpobolokemi

  • 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 a 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 alongside the former Director- General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), 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 charge 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 him 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.

  • How NIMASA’s N498.2m was disbursed – EFCC witness

    How NIMASA’s N498.2m was disbursed – EFCC witness

    An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, Mrs. Olamide Odusanya, on Wednesday testified that the former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA),  Patrick Akpobolokemi, approved a payment of N498, 200,000, which was then disbursed into various accounts.

    Odusanya, a NIMASA Assistant Director in the Financial Services Department, testified before Justice Raliat Adebiyi in a N754,740,680 fraud  case brought against Akpobolokemi and six others by the EFCC.

    Other defendants are – Capt. Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Amechee Juan, Vincent Udoye, Captain Adegboyega Sahib Olopoenia and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Limited.

    The EFCC alleged that the defendants diverted N754.7million meant for the implementation of Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit Scheme at NIMASA.

    Odusanya, who was cross-examined by the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, said requests for money to be spent by NIMASA were routed to the President through the Office of the National Security Adviser.

    She added that Akpobolokemi was the agency’s Chief Accounting Officer and no financial transactions took place without his approval.

  • Alleged N754.7m theft:  Akpobolokemi rejects trial in Lagos Court

    Alleged N754.7m theft:  Akpobolokemi rejects trial in Lagos Court

    The embattled immediate past Director-General of Nigeria Maritime Administration Safety Agency (NIMASA) Patrick Akpobolokemi has challenged the jurisdiction of the Lagos State High Court to entertain the allegations of stealing preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)‎.

    He told a Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere Monday through his counsel Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN), that under the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, only the Federal High Court has authority to try anyone for the offences he is being accused of.

    Akpobolokemi and six others were arraigned on January 25, before Justice Adebiyi Raliat at a Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, on a 13-count charge bordering on the stealing of N754, 740,680 million belonging to NIMASA.

    They pleaded not guilty and were granted bail.

    His co-defendants are Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Amechee Juan, Vincent Udoye, Adegboyega Olopoenia and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Ltd.

    At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday the fourth defendant Governor Amechee Juan, through his counsel Ige Asemudara also filed a similar application.

    Nwobike informed the court that he had a notice of preliminary objection dated February 12 and filed on February 15, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to try the case.

    ‎The application was supported by a five-paragraph affidavit deposed to by one Felix Deckcon.

    The defendant asserted that by virtue of Section 251 (1) (a) and (3) of the Constitution of the ‎Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the Federal High Court has exclusive jurisdiction over matters and causes arising from, pertaining to and or is connected with the revenue of the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agencies.

    He argued that the said sections of the Constitution supersede the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State 2011 and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act, 2004.

    Nwobike said the High Court of Lagos State lacks the requisite jurisdiction to entertain criminal causes and matters arising from and or pertaining to; the revenue of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the administration or management and control of the Federal Government or any of its agencies, by virtue of the sections.

    Responding, Justice Adebiyi ordered the other defendants in the matter who also intend to challenge the court’s jurisdiction to file ‎their applications before the next adjourned date.

    She adjourned to ‎March 9, for the hearing of the preliminary objections.

    Akpobolokemi and co were alleged to have between October 30,2014 and May 6, 2015 converted to their  personal use N346,844,680.00 property of NIMASA released to them for the implementation of Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS).

    They were also alleged to have on or about May 28, 2015, with a dishonest intent, converted to their own use the sum of N257, 000,000 money released for the implementation of VIMSAS.

    The defendants were further alleged to have with intent to defraud knowingly forged a document titled “Re: Request for Payment as consultant for VIMSAS Administration Services” dated May 25, 2015 purported to have been issued by Aroward Consulting limited.

  • Jonathan reappoints NIMASA’s Akpobolokemi for second tenure

    Jonathan reappoints NIMASA’s Akpobolokemi for second tenure

    President Goodluck Jonathan has reappointed the Director-General  of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, has been reappointed for a second tenure of four years.

    The approval for the reappointment was contained in a letter issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, dated October 13, 2014. According to the letter, appointment takes effect from December 23, 2014 adding that the reappointment was in accordance with the relevant provision of the Safety Act 2007.

    Part of the letter reads: “I am pleased to inform you that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, has approved your reappointment as Director-General, Nigerian maritime Administration and safety Agency (NIMASA) for a second and final tenure of four years in accordance with Section 11 (1) & (2) of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act, 2007.”

    NIMASA is the apex regulatory and promotional maritime agency in the country. The Agency was created from the merger of National Maritime Authority and Joint Maritime Labour Industrial Council (former parastatals of the Federal Ministry of Transport) on the August 1, 2006.