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Tag: NIMASA

  • University staff diverted N11b for Akpobolokemi – Witness

    University staff diverted N11b for Akpobolokemi – Witness

    A Lagos High Court in Igbosere, on Thursday heard how the sum of N11, 316,295,549.29 was allegedly diverted from Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) into accounts operated by a staff of Niger Delta University (NDU), John Simon Adomene.

    Adomene was named in the testimony of an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, Orji Chukwuma, before Justice Raliat Adebiyi.

    Chukwuma, an operative of the EFCC, told the court that Adomene laundered the money on behalf of an ex -Director-General of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi.

    He testified as the third prosecution witness in the trial of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Joseph Nwobike.

    Nwobike is facing a five-count charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice and offering gratification to a public official, a charge he denied.

    Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, Chukwuma said in 2015, the commission received intelligence on “a monumental fraud perpetrated in NIMASA.”

    “In the course of the investigation, it was revealed that one John Simon Adomene, a staff of Niger Delta University was used by the DG of NIMASA, Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, to perpetrate this fraud.

    “Subsequently, efforts were made to trace accounts linked to John Adomene and companies linked with him,” he said.

    He listed the companies to include Wabod, Global Resources Limited, Gokiad Marine Services and Boloberi Properties and Estate Limited.

    “We traced billions of naira in accounts and properties to these companies which were merely fronts for Dr. Akpobolokemi,” Chukwuma alleged.

     

  • Ex-NIMASA DG sentenced to five years in prison

    Ex-NIMASA DG sentenced to five years in prison

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday sentenced a former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General, Temisan Raymond Omatseye, to five years imprisonment over N1.5 billion contract scam.

    Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia convicted him on a 27- count charge bordering on bid rigging and contract splitting.

    It is the first major high profile conviction since President Muhammadu Buhari began his anti-corruption crusade.

    Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia found Omatseye guilty in 24 out of the 27 charges preferred against him.

    She, however, discharged and acquitted him in three of the charges.

    Ajumogobia found Omatseye guilty for awarding contracts above stipulated threshold, and accordingly convicted him on counts 1 to 20,24,25,26, and 27. She discharged and acquitted him on counts 21, 22 and 23.

    The judge held:  “In the instant charge, the defendant testified in his evidence in chief that he was released on administrative bail and asked to come back the following day and in his statement, he responded that his threshold for supply was N2.5 million.

    “Furthermore, his statement was corroborated by Pw2 (prosecution witness two) and Pw3. Pw2 stated in his testimony that in line with the Public Procurement Act, the Chief Executive officer had a threshold of N2.5 million for goods and N5 million for works.

    “From the foregoing, I find that the exhibit PD 16 A-Y are all above the threshold and approved limit of the DG; that means, they are all above N2.5 million.

    “The testimony of Pw2 and Pw3 that the approved threshold of the defendant on goods and services was N2.5million does not only corroborate the statement of the defendant, but totally lends credence to the threshold limit applicable on the defendant as DG of NIMASA.”

     

  • How ex-NIMASA DG converted N378m – Witnesses

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday heard how a former acting Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Calistus Obi, allegedly converted over N378 million to his personal use.

    Obi, a former NIMASA Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Service, took over from Patrick Akpobolokemi, who is facing five separate fraud and theft charges.

    Obi, Dismass Alu Adoon, Grand Pact Limited and Global Sea Investment Limited were arraigned on an eight- count charge of converting N378, 810,000 belonging to NIMASA to personal use.

    At his trial on Monday, an unlicensed Bureau De Change operator, Mallam Sulaiman Oseni, said he changed N111 million for Dismass three times.

    Oseni said he first changed N12 million, which he handed over to him at NIMASA’s office in Apapa.

    According to him, Dismass also sent N49.5 million twice which he changed to dollars and gave him at a hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    Oseni, who said because his firm was not registered, claimed that sometimes he paid the monies given to him into the account of his boss, Mallam Koloni Mohammed.

    Muhammed also testified that he changed of $350,000 for the accused persons through Oseni.

    Mohammed said he had no business relationship with NIMASA, adding that Oseni forwarded his account details to NIMASA through which the officials paid the monies.

     

  • NIMASA: N324.5m moved to BDC operator’s accounts – Witness

    The Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, Wednesday heard how a total of N342.5 million was allegedly transferred by a Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA) staff into the accounts of a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator.

    The BDC operator, Chima Anyasor, testified Wednesday before Justice Raliat Adebiyi that the N342.5m was paid into two of his companies’ accounts through NIMASA official, Ekene Nwakuche.

    The witness, who was led in evidence by EFCC prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, said the payments were made between February 2015 and June 2015, but from the ‘National Maritime Authority (NMA)’.

    He mentioned the name of his companies as Jeo Bureau de Change, ADA CDA Global Resources Ltd, Caadex Oil and Gas Ltd and a hotel.

    Anyasor gave his testimony during the continuation of trial in the case of the former NIMASA Director-General (D-G) Patrick Akpobolokemi and six others, accused of stealing N754.7 million.

    Akpobolokemi is standing trial on a 13-count charge bordering on stealing alongside Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Vincent Udoye, Captain Olopoenia and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Ltd.

    Anyasor told the court that he had no contract with NIMASA but was able to receive these monies because he had a relationship with the third defendant, Nwakuche.

    He said that sometime in 2015, Nwakuche approached him and told him that his company (NIMASA) was sourcing for dollars.

    “A few days after my discussion with Nwakuche, he sent an SMS that some money had been paid into my account,” Anyasor stated.

    The witness told the court that on February 27, 2015, he received a total sum of N111.5 million in his account.

    He stated that another sum of N140 million was paid into his account between June 17 and 18, 2015.

    The witness also said that the sum of N91 million was transferred into his account and that on March 3, 2015, he transferred a total sum of N20 million into the second defendant, Captain Ezekiel Agaba’s account.

    “On March 4, 2015, I transferred N10 million into the account of one Blocks and Stones Industry.

    “I transferred these monies from the N91 million and I got the accounts of the second defendant from Nwakuche,” he said.

    During cross examination the witness admitted that he neither knew Akpobolokemi and nor why he was facing trial.

    “I don’t know what the monies which were transferred to my company’s account were meant for.

    “I considered the transaction I engaged in to be a normal course of business.

    “I have been friends with Nwakuche and I consider him trustworthy, that was why I engaged in the transactions with him, and I didn’t consider issuing receipts to him concerning the transactions,” the witness said.

    Justice Adebiyi adjourned the case till June 1 for continuation of trial.

     

  • NIMASA paid me N93m without contract, says witness 

    NIMASA paid me N93m without contract, says witness 

    A Bureau-de-Change operator, Wakili Daudu, yesterday told a Lagos High Court in Igbosere that the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) paid N93,394,680 into his account athough he did not bid for a contract.

    Daudu, the fifth prosecution witnesses in the trial of former NIMASA’s Director-General Patrick Akpobolokemi and six others, said the money was transferred in two tranches of N35,688,000 and N61,394,680.

    Speaking through an interpreter, Daudu said: “I don’t know anybody in NIMASA and I have never bid  for any contract in NIMASA, but millions of naira was paid into my account.”

    Akpobolokemi was arraigned by the EFCC with Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Amechee Juan, Vincent Udoye, Captain Adegboyega Sahib Olopoenia and a company, Gama Maine Nigeria Limited.

    The first to fifth defendants (Akpobolokemi, Captain Agaba, Nwakuche, Jun, Udoye) are alleged to have, between October 30, 2014 and May 6, 2015, converted to their personal use N346,844,680.00, property of NIMASA meant for the implementation of Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS).

    They are being tried on a 13-count charge of stealing and forgery, preferred against them by the EFCC.

    The witness testified before Justice Raliat Adebiyi that he was contacted by Mohammed Darlington that his boss, Captain Ezekiel Agaba, wanted to convert some money to dollars.

    Led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, Daudu said on October 30, 2014, N35,688,000 was paid into his account by Darlington, who claimed to be working for the second defendant.

    Later the same day, N61,394,680 was also transferred into his account, he added.

    He further testified that the money was changed into dollars and handed over to Darlington.

    The matter has been adjourned till today for continuation of trial.

     

  • Ex-NIMASA DG knows fate May 20

    Ex-NIMASA DG knows fate May 20

    Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court in Lagos Monday failed to deliver judgment in the trial of a former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General, Temisan Omatseye.

    Judgment was fixed before the judge was transferred to the court’s Ilorin Division.

    She, however, could not return to Lagos to deliver the verdict as expected.

    A new date, May 20, has been fixed.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Omatseye for allegedly awarding contracts above his threshold.

    He was charged with 27 counts bordering on bid rigging and contract splitting involving about N1.5 billion.

    Parties adopted their final written addresses on March 14. Omatseye’s lawyer, Mr Edoka Onyeke, urged the court to dismiss the prosecution’s arguments and acquit his client.

    He had argued that the prosecution did not prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

    The prosecutor, Chief Godwin Obla (SAN), urged the court to uphold the prosecution’s case.

    He said there was evidence that Omatseye went beyond his threshold of N2.5million for “goods” and N5million for “works”.

     

  • NIMASA paid me N93m without contract – Witness

    NIMASA paid me N93m without contract – Witness

    A Bureau-de-Change operator, Wakili Daudu Monday told a Lagos High Court in Igbosere that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) paid N93,394,680 into his account without him bidding for a contract.

    Daudu, the fifth prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former NIMASA Director-General, Patrick Akpobolokemi and six others, said the money was transferred in two tranches of N35, 688,000 and N61, 394,680.

    Speaking through an interpreter, Daudu said: “I don’t know anybody in NIMASA and I have never bidded for any contract in NIMASA, but millions of naira was paid into my account.”

    Akpobolokemi was arraigned by the EFCC alongside Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Amechee Juan, Vincent Udoye, Captain Adegboyega Sahib Olopoenia and a company, Gama Maine Nigeria Limited.

    The first to fifth defendants (Akpobolokemi, Captain Agaba, Nwakuche, Jun, Udoye) are alleged to have between October 30, 2014 and May 6, 2015 converted to their personal use N346, 844,680.00 property of NIMASA meant for the implementation of Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS).

    They are standing trial on a 13-count charge of stealing and forgery, preferred against them by EFCC.

    The witness testified before Justice Raliat Adebiyi that he was contacted by one Mohammed Darlington that his boss, Captain Ezekiel Agaba, wanted to convert some money to dollars.

    Led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, Daudu stated that on October 30, 2014 the sum of N35, 688,000 was paid into his account by Darlington, who claimed to be working for the second defendant.

    Later the same day, the sum of N61, 394,680 was also transferred into his account, he added.
    He further testified that the money was changed into dollars and handed over to Darlington.
    The matter has been adjourned till today for continuation of trial.

  • NIMASA: How N498.2m was disbursed, by EFCC witness

    NIMASA: How N498.2m was disbursed, by EFCC witness

    An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, Mrs. Olamide Odusanya, yesterday testified that ex-Nigeria Maritime and Safety Agency’s (NIMASA’s) Director-General Patrick Akpobolokemi approved N498,200,000, which was paid into various accounts.

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

    The others are Captain 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 N754.7  million meant for the implementation of Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit Scheme at NIMASA.

    Led in examination-in-chief yesterday by prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, Odusanya said NIMASA’s disbursements went to the President through the Office of the National Security Adviser.

    But that Akpobolokemi as the agency’s chief accounting officer, all financial transactions were approved by him.

    The witness said she was a ‘B’ signatory to two accounts owned by NIMASA’s Committee of Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS).

    Akpolobokemi, she added, was an ‘A’ signatory to both accounts, one of which was with Access Bank.

    “The accounting officer of NIMASA is the CEO, that is the DG. Payment instructions were approved by the D-G,” Odusanya said.

    The witness identified the first to sixth defendant as former NIMASA officials, adding that the N498,200,000 was paid on August 29, 2014.

    Referring to Akpobolokemi, she said: “The DG/CEO approved the payment. The approval is on the Electronic Payment Schedule: ‘Approved, please comply’”.

    Odusanya identified Captain Ezekiel Agaba, former NIMASA executive director (Maritime Safety & Shipping Development) as the chairman of committee of VIMSAS.

    She listed how money was disbursed into several accounts owned by different companies and persons.

    On September 16, 2014, a memo from the office of the second defendant, Agaba, initiated the withdrawal of N3 million in favour of the third defendant, Nwakuche, Odusanya said.

    She added that on September 29, there was a transfer of N1,400,000 to Lakewood Gardens Ventures Ltd, while N61,000,000 was transferred to Kofa Fada Nigeria Ltd, on October 30.

    Odusanya confirmed that N6 million was withdrawn in favour of Nwakuche in two tranches of N3 million each on November 28 and December 17.

    In 2015, Gama Marine Ltd got N39,450,000 on February 2, while Committee on Third Strategic Admiralty was paid N25,000,000.

    “On May 20, 2015, N318,000,000 was paid into VIMSAS committee account. The money was approved by the first defendant,” the witness said.

    She added that the payment was made to a UBA account.

    Odusanya identified all NIMASA memos and documents authorising the transactions before same were admitted as exhibits by the court.

    Justice Adebiyi adjourned till today for continuation of trial.

  • 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.

  • Witness: how N60m was moved from NIMASA’s contractor’s account’

    Witness: how N60m was moved from NIMASA’s contractor’s account’

    A Compliance Officer with Access Bank Plc, Mr. Oliver Enwerem, yesterday testified on how N60 million was moved out of a Nigeria Maritime and Safety Agency’s (NIMASA’s) contractor’s account between last February 2 and 16.

    Enwerem appeared before Justice Raliat Adebiyi of a Lagos State High Court in Igbosere, as an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness in a N754.7 million theft case filed against ex-NIMASA’s Director-General Patrick Akpobolokemi and six others.

    Facing trial with him are Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Vincent Udoye, Adegboyega Olopoenia and Gama Marine Nigeria Limited.

    They were arraigned on January 25, 2016, but pleaded not guilty to the 13 counts.

    Led in evidence by EFCC prosecutor Mr. I. Muhammed, Enwerem said yesterday that on February 2, 2015, NIMASA’s Committee of Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS), paid N67,450,000 into Gama Marine’s account.

    The first payment, he said, was N28 million while the other was N39.45 million, all paid into an Access Bank account, owned by Gama Marine Ltd.

    Enwerem further testified that on February 10, N30 million in three tranches of N10 million was withdrawn from the account in favour of one of the defendants, Vincent Udoye.

    The following day, another N30 million in three tranches of N10 million was also withdrawn in Udoye’s favour, he said.

    However, under cross-examination by Akpobolokemi’s counsel, Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN), the witness affirmed that he could not find Akpobolokemi’s name in the documents before the court as a beneficiary of the payments.

    He also affirmed to the other defendants’ counsel that Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche and Governor Juan were also not named as beneficiaries of the payment.

    During cross examination by counsel to the sixth defendant, Chukwudi Enebeli, Enwerem affirmed that the payments of February 2, were not made by NIMASA but by the Committee of VIMSAS.

    He added that he did not know anything about the nature of the transactions in the statement of accounts admitted by the court.

    Justice Adebiyi adjourned till today for continuation of trial.