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Tag: Patrick Akpobolokemi

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

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

    A Federal High Court sitting at Ikoyi in Lagos has discharged and acquitted a former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, of N8,537,586,798.58 fraud.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed the case against him and three other defendants.

    Justice Ayokunle Faji discharged and acquitted Akpobolokemi in a ruling he delivered on a no-case submission the erstwhile NIMAS boss and four defendants filed against a 22-count charge against them.

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

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

    But he ruled that Atewe (second defendant) and Engonzu (third defendant) have a case to answer and will have to open their defence, in line with counts 12 to 22 of the charge.

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    In a no-case submission filed by his lawyers, Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN), the former NIMASA boss prayed the court to acquit him.

    He said the prosecution, with all its witnesses and evidence tendered in the case, failed to link him to the alleged crimes.

    The defendants are facing 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 offense 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 offense contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.”

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

    Upon the conclusion of the prosecution’s case, all the defendants entered a no-case submission.

    Delivering ruling, Justice Faji held that none of the witnesses the prosecution called gave evidence that linked Akpobolokemi and Otuaga to the offences they were charged with.

    The court held that from the evidence the prosecution provided, it failed to show credible evidence linking the first defendant with the crimes in Counts One to 11 of the first amended charge and/or establish a prima facie case against him.

    This, the court held, warranted him entering his defence.

    It also held that out of the 11 witnesses the complainant fielded, only one witness (PW 2) gave evidence where the name of Akpobolokemi featured.

    The court said other witnesses proved that they did not know the first defendant and did not have any dealings with him.

  • Ex-president Jonathan directed how NIMASA funds were spent – Akpobolokemi

    Ex-president Jonathan directed how NIMASA funds were spent – Akpobolokemi

    A former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ( NIMASA ) Director-General Dr Patrick Akpobolokemi yesterday denied looting the agency’s funds.

    Testifying before Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos after opening his defence, Akpobolokemi said all the actions he took in office had the approval of former President Goodluck Jonathan. 

    He denied looting N2.3billion from the agency, which was approved for a project by the former President.

    According to him, Dr Jonathan approved the release of N2.3billion for NIMASA in three tranches between 2013 and 2015.

    He said it was for the implementation of a maritime security project, International Shipping and Ports Security (ISPS) code.

    He said the funds were released after he wrote three times to the Federal Government through the Office of the National Security Adviser headed by Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.).

    Led in evidence by his lawyer, Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN), Akpobolokemi said the ISPS code implementation followed the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack in the United States of America.

    He said the security code was adopted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which requested member states to implement it to forestall similar terrorist attacks.

    He said the funds were approved by the President and released to NIMASA through ONSA, following which he constituted the ISPS Code Implementation Committee.

    He said the committee opened an account, into which funds for the project were released, adding that he was neither a member nor a signatory to the account.

    Akpobolokemi said the committee was headed by former NIMASA Executive Director, Maritime Safety and Shipping Department, Capt. Ezekiel Agaba.

    He said as soon as the funds were disbursed to NIMASA, he minuted letters to Agaba to carry the Presidency’s directives.

    “The directive was from the Presidency and I would have been appropriately sanctioned if I ignored the directive,” he said.

    He denied the allegation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) that the funds were diverted, adding that the project was implemented with the funds, with foreigners commending NIMASA.

    “I was satisfied that the ISPS Code project was well performed at least up till the time I left the agency,” Akpobolokemi said.

    Akpobolokemi was charged along with Ababa, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Blockz and Stonz Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistics Limited.

    They all pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned.

    Justice Buba adjourned till February 13.

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

    Akpobolokemi ordered to explain role in alleged N2.6b fraud

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

    Oyedepo argued that Akpobolokemi, as head and chief accounting officer of NIMASA at the time of the alleged fraud, could not “by any stretch of imagination, claim to be innocent.”

    He said even though it was ex-President Jonathan who approved the security project and sanctioned the disbursement of the funds, Akpobolokemi was the head of NIMASA who constituted a committee to handle the project and also approved funds for the activities of the committee.

  • N2.6bn fraud: “you have a case to answer” court tells Akpobolokemi, others

    N2.6bn fraud: “you have a case to answer” court tells Akpobolokemi, others

    A Federal High Court Lagos, on Monday, overruled a no case submission by former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ( NIMASA ), Patrick Akpobolokemi, charged with N2.6 billion fraud.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) had on Dec. 4, 2015, arraigned Akpobolokemi alongside five others, for allegedly diverting N2.6 billion from the coffers of NIMASA between December 2013 and May 2015.

    EFCC claimed the funds were approved by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan for the implementation of a security project.

    Also charged along with Akpobolokemi are: Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Blockz and Stonz Ltd and Al-Kenzo Logistic Ltd.

    The accused had pleaded not guilty to the 22 charges pressed against them.
    The prosecution had then opened its case and during trial, called a total of 12 witnesses and tendered 77 exhibits in a bid to establish its case.

    After the prosecution closed its case, the accused, through their lawyers, filed no-case submissions, contending that the prosecution failed to established a prima facie case against them to warrant their entering any defence.

    They had urged the court to uphold the no case submission and discharge the accused.

    Delivering his ruling on Monday, the trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba noted that a plethora of cases had been cited by learned counsel in arguing their application for a no case submission.

    Buba, however, pointed out that in delivering ruling on such no case submission the court is enjoined to keep its ruling as short as possible.

    He said:“There are a plethora of cases listed by counsel, but the court is enjoined not to write its ruling as if it is writing its final judgment, but must keep its ruling as short as possible”.

    Buba held that the charge was before the court and its ingredients are clear.

    “The court therefore, cannot see the fuse in the argument that the prosecution has not made out a prima facie case against the defendants.

    “When a judge is faced with a ruling on a no case submission, it is permissible for the ruling to be brief and simply read: “you have a case to answer.

    “Consequently, the no case submission fails and is hereby overruled”.

    The court therefore, adjourned the case to Oct. 30, Nov. 7 and Nov. 9 for the defence to open its case.

    Akpobolokemi’s no-case submission, his lawyer, Mr Joseph Nwobike (SAN), had contended that the EFCC failed to link his client with the alleged diversion of funds from NIMASA.

    He added that his signature to such effect was never shown to the court, as such the first accused could not be held liable because he did not approve the security project and money disbursed.

    Nwobike had also described the evidence given against the accused by prosecution witness, as mere hearsay with no legal weight.

    He, had therefore, urged the court to come to the conclusion, that the first accused cannot be called upon to enter any defence, because no prima facie case had been established against him.

    Other defence counsels had also made their arguments on their no case submission.

    In response, the prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, maintained that the testimonies of the 12 witnesses and 77 exhibits tendered had successfully linked Akpobolokemi to the alleged fraud.

    He had argued that being the head and chief accounting officer of NIMASA at the time of the alleged fraud, Akpobolokemi could not by any stretch of imagination, claim to be innocent.

    The prosecutor had further argued that even if it was the former president that approved the security project, Akpobolokemi was the head of NIMASA at the time, and constituted a committee to handle the project and also approved its funds.

    He further submitted that the prosecution had established that, rather than its intended purpose, the funds were illegally converted to the personal use of the accused.

    In the 22 count charges, the EFCC alleged that the accused induced the Federal Government to approve and deliver to NIMASA the sum of N795 million under false pretence and that the sum represented the cost for the implementation of the Security Code in Nigeria.

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

    NAN

  • Court rules on Akpobolokemi’s no-case submission October 16

    Court rules on Akpobolokemi’s no-case submission October 16

    A Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed October 16 for ruling on the no-case submission made by former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi and five others.

    Justice Ibrahim Buba fixed the date on Friday after hearing arguments on the no-case submission by the defence counsel, Mr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN).

    The accused persons were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on December 4, 2015 for allegedly diverting N2.6 billion from the coffers of NIMASA between December 2013 and May 2015.

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

    Also charged with Akpobolokemi were – Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Blockz and Stonz Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited.

    The accused people had pleaded not guilty to the 22 charges pressed against them.

    The prosecution had opened its case and during trial, called 12 witnesses and tendered 77 exhibits in a bid to establish prima- facie case against the accused persons.

    After the prosecution closed its case, the accused, through their lawyers, filed no-case submissions, contending that the prosecution failed to established a prima-facie case against them to warrant their entering any defence.

    Arguing Akpobolokemi’s no-case submission, Nwobike contended that the EFCC failed to link his client with the alleged diversion of funds from NIMASA.

    Nwobike pointed out that his signature to such effect was never shown to the court.

    The counsel said the first accused could not be held liable because he did not approve the security project and the money disbursed.

    Nwobike also described the evidence given against the accused by the prosecution witness as mere hearsay, which he said, had no legal weight before the court.

    He, therefore, urged the court to come to the conclusion that the first accused could not be called upon to enter any defence because no prima-facie case had been established against him.

    In response, the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, maintained that the testimonies of the 12 witnesses and the 77 exhibits tendered had successfully linked Akpobolokemi to the alleged fraud.

    He argued that being the head and chief accounting officer of NIMASA at the time of the alleged fraud, Akpobolokemi could not by any stretch of imagination claim to be innocent.

    He argued that even if it was the former President that approved the security project, Akpobolokemi was the head of NIMASA at the time, who constituted a committee to handle the project and also approved funds.

    He submitted that the prosecution had established that rather than its intended purpose, the funds were illegally converted to the personal use of the accused.

    NAN

  • Akpobolokemi, others stole N754m with forged documents – EFCC witness

    Akpobolokemi, others stole N754m with forged documents – EFCC witness

    The Lagos High Court, Ikeja, heard on Tuesday how the former Director -General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA),  Patrick Akpobolokemi and five others  forged company documents to steal N754million from the agency.

    An investigating officer with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Chukwuma Orji, disclosed this while being led in evidence by EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, before Justice Raliat Adeniyi.

    Akpobolokemi’s co-defendants are – Ezekiel Agaba, a former Executive Director of NIMASA, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Vincent Udoye, Adegboyega Olopoenia and a company — Gama Marine Nigeria Limited.

    Orji said the documents of a consulting firm, Arrow World Consulting, were forged.

    He said the real owner of the consulting company had unsuccessfully bidded for a NIMASA contract in the past.

    Oyedepo had alleged that Akpobolokemi and other accused persons used the company name to facilitate the NIMASA fraud.

    The witness said Arrow World Consulting is located at 1004 Housing Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    He said in the forged document, the company address was given as Plot 6, Kudirat Abiola Way, Ikeja, Lagos.

    “The account of Arrow World Consulting was opened in Zenith Bank using forged documents, the number of the account is 1014150798,” he stated.

    The witness said Arrow World Consulting never carried out any consultation services for NIMASA, adding that the funds were paid into the account operated by Nwakuche and Juan in connivance with Agaba.

    Orji added: “N257million was transferred into the account of Arrow World from the Vimsat Committee account of NIMASA.

    “The funds were paid into the account in conspiracy with Akpobolokemi, the Director-General and Agaba the Executive Director of NIMASA.

    “There was a NIMASA memo dated May 5, 2015 signed by Agaba, authorising the payment of the N257million into the account. The instructions were given to the Bar Beach branch of Zenith Bank.

    “The documents including a letter listing Arrow World’s address at Plot 6 Kudirat Abiola Way, Ikeja, Lagos, and signed on behalf of Agaba, by Juan were all forged.”

     

     

  • Fraud: EFCC re-arraigns ex-JTF commander, Akpobolokemi, others

    Fraud: EFCC re-arraigns ex-JTF commander, Akpobolokemi, others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday re-arraigned before a Federal High Court, Lagos,  a former Joint Task Force (JTF) commander, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Atewe, and three others over N8.5 billion fraud.

    Atewe is charged alongside Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and two other staff — Kime Engonzu and Josephine Otuaga.

    The accused are standing trial on an amended 22-count charge bordering on fraud.

    Their re-arraignment was a sequel to the transfer of the former trial judge, Justice Saliu Saidu from Lagos to the Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High court.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the plea of the accused was taken afresh before the new judge, Justice A.O Faji.

    Defence counsel urged the court to allow the accused to continue on the earlier bail granted by the previous judge.

    Based on the applications of the counsel, the judge ruled that the accused should continue on their bails.

    At the last adjourned date, the EFCC had examined a prosecution witness, Mr Adamu Yusuf, who told the court how the accused converted about N4.9 billion to dollars.

    Yusuf said the accused used different companies and accounts to launder billions of money from the account of the Joint Task Force Operation.

    The witness further testified that during the investigation, letters of request were sent to GTbank, Heritage Bank, Diamond Bank, Stanbic-IBTC Bank, as well as First City Monument Bank (FCMB) demanding the account statements of beneficiaries of the account.

    The anti-graft agency had alleged that the accused conspired to defraud NIMASA of N8.5 billion using six companies, namely — Jagan Ltd, Jagan Trading Company Ltd, Jagan Global Services Ltd, Al-Nald Ltd, Paper Warehouse Ltd,  Eastpoint Integrated Services Ltd and De-Newlink Integrated Services Ltd.

    The EFCC claimed that the accused committed the fraud between Sept. 5, 2014, and May 20, 2015, in contravention of Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

    The court has fixed Feb. 13 and Feb. 17 for the commencement of trial.

  • Akpobolokemi’s trial adjourned to February 28

    Akpobolokemi’s trial adjourned to February 28

    The trial of former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General, Patrick Akpobolokemi, was stalled on Monday 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 trial was slated 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 Monday being his 59th birthday, adjourned the trial till February 28.

    “I am 59 years old today (Monday) 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,” the judge 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 to the charges.

  • Ex-NIMASA DG proposes plea bargain with EFCC

    Ex-NIMASA DG proposes plea bargain with EFCC

    A former Acting Director-General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Haruna Jauro, Monday proposed to enter a plea bargain agreement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The commission arraigned him at the Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged N304.1million fraud.

    Jauro is among four ex-NIMASA chiefs charged with corruption-related offences.

    Others are Patrick Akpobolokemi, Calistus Obi and Temisan Omatseye, who was convicted.

    Obi, ex-NIMASA’s Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Service, took over from Akpobolokemi, who is facing five separate fraud charges.

    Obi was relieved of his duties less than a week later, and replaced by Jauro, who was Executive Director, Finance and Administration.

    Jauro was charged with Dr. Dauda Bawa and Thlumbau Enterprises Limited on 19 counts of converting N304.1 million belonging to NIMASA.

    EFCC said they conspired on January 6, 2014, to convert N156, 477,500 belonging to NIMASA, knowing the money was stolen.

    They also allegedly converted N38, 170,000 between June 3 and September 1, 2014, “knowing that the sums were proceeds of stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3).”

    EFCC said on May 30 and August 14, 2014, they converted N8, 500,000.00, property of NIMASA. The prosecution said they did so “knowing that the sums were proceeds of bribery”.

    The defendants had pleaded not guilty to all counts when they were arraigned, with EFCC opening its case.

    Trial was billed to resume Monday before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun-Ishola, but defence counsel Babajide Koku (SAN) said his client had begun plea bargain talks with the prosecution.

    He told the judge that the defence took the decision Monday.

    “It (plea bargain decision) came up this morning. I discussed directly with my learned friend (prosecution counsel) this morning,” Koku said.

    EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo confirmed the development.

    He said: “I confirm the intention of the defence to enter a plea bargain with the prosecution.”

    Justice Mojisola Olatoregun-Ishola urged the parties to reach an agreement without delay.

    “By the time you come back, you would have filed the plea bargain agreement and I would have looked at it and evaluated it,” she said.

    The judge adjourned until November 21.

  • Akpobolokemi, others stole N1.5b from NIMASA intelligence committee – EFCC

    Akpobolokemi, others stole N1.5b from NIMASA intelligence committee – EFCC

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

    Prosecution witness, Mr. Kanu Idagu, Monday 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 standing trial on a 40-count charge bordering on conversion to their personal uses, of over N3.4 billion belonging to NIMASA.

    The second to seventh defendants are Captain Bala Agaba; Ekene Nwakuche; Felix Bob-Nabena; Captain 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 are on bail after pleading not guilty to the charge.

    At the 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, Mr. Festus Keyamo, he said the commission received a petition in the last quarter of 2015, against some activities in NIMASA, during the period when Akpobolokemi was D-G.

    His team, Idagu added, investigated the allegations and found that NIMASA had set up various committees some of which were used to launder monies through firms and Bureau de Changes.

    He specified that a committee on intelligence was set up and headed by the second defendant (Agaba), with an Access Bank account number 0688939609 opened for the receipt of monies.

    “Between December 20, 2013 and July 7, 2015, the committee received money in tranches running into 1.5 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 staffs for their personal use,” Idagu said

    According to the witness, one of such companies was Aler Integrated services Ltd, whose alter ego was one Uche Obilor.

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

    “The sum of N2 million was also transferred into the account of one 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 one Kofa Fada Ltd, with the sum of N26 million transferred to the company’s account, while the dollar equivalent was handed to him.

    “The second defendant also transferred the sum of N86 million to one 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 that 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 the sum of 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 the sum of N65 million was transferred.

    He said that in all, a total of N422, 680 million was directly 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.