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Tag: Patrick Akpobolokemi

  • N378m theft: Witness reveals how ex-NIMASA D-G spent funds

    N378m theft: Witness reveals how ex-NIMASA D-G spent funds

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday heard that former acting Director-General of NIMASA, Calistus Obi, allegedly built a hotel in Asaba, using the agency’s funds.

    Obi, who was a former NIMASA Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Service, took over from Patrick Akpobolokemi, the immediate past DG of NIMASA, who is facing six separate charges of conversion and theft.

    He was charged alongside three companies – Dismass Alu Adoon Ltd, Grand Pact Ltd., and Global Sea Investment Ltd on eight counts bordering on conversion of funds to the tune of over N378 million from NIMASA.

    At Obi’s trial on Wednesday, a witness, who is an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Orji Chukwuma, said that the accused used NIMASA’s funds to build a hotel.

    He alleged that the money was taken from an account opened for NIMASA’s Technical Ratification Committee on Maritime Labour Congress.

    According to the witness, about N10million was paid to Seastroke International Ltd which was in charge of developing the hotel for Obi.

    He said that Obi also gave N1million to a church in Anambra, but its purpose was not disclosed.

    According to him, a company, Knight and Sheriff, was paid N10million, adding that the company’s account was operated by Obi’s Special Adviser (SA).

    “I was made to understand that the operator of the account was his SA who started using it to keep monies for the first accused (Obi),” the witness said.

    He said that two companies, into which NIMASA’s funds were paid, never had any business with the agency.

    The witness said that Obi made several payments, including to his wife, using NIMASA’s funds.

    “He did not give any explanations as to why these funds were withdrawn and he did not present any documents showing the utilisation of these funds,” the witness said.

    After listening to the witness, the court asked counsel to both parties to reach an agreement as to when it would be suitable for the next adjournment, and communicate back to the court.

  • 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.

     

  • 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 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.

  • Court bars Keyamo’s lawyer from Akpobolokemi’s trial

    Court bars Keyamo’s lawyer from Akpobolokemi’s trial

    A Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere on Wednesday stopped a representative of Mr. Festus Keyamo from prosecuting a N754, 740,680.00 fraud suit filed against a former Director-General of Nigeria Maritime Administration Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi and six others.

    Justice Raliat Adebiyi ruled that Marcel Umeh, a counsel in the chambers of Keyamo, did not have the fiat of the Attorney-General of the Federation through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute the defendants.

    The judge adjourned the case till April 3 for continuation of trial.

    Akpobolokemi is standing trial on a 13-count charge bordering on stealing and forgery.

    His co-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 was billed to continue its trial of the defendants on Wednesday afternoon and it was expected that its regular counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, would appear in court.

    However, Oyedepo was not available when the matter was called and Umeh announced his appearance for the prosecution.

    “I’m ready to go on and I have my witnesses,” he stated.

    Umeh was then interrupted from calling his first witness by counsel to the second defendant, Mr. E. D. Onyeke, who observed that Umeh had no authority to prosecute the case on behalf of the government or Keyamo.

    Onyeke informed the court that he had earlier been notified by Oyedepo that he would not be available and that the case would not continue on Wednesday.

    He said: “Mr. Marcel Umeh works in Festus Keyamo’s Chambers and not the Ministry of Justice or the EFCC.

    “If Keyamo has a fiat from the Attorney-General to prosecute this matter and Oyedepo, an employee of the EFCC, also has the authority to prosecute, it does not apply to Mr. Marcel. Mr. Marcel is only Keyamo’s employee and not that of the EFCC.

    “Mr. Marcel is a private legal practitioner and he cannot prosecute this matter as a private legal practitioner.”

     

  • Tompolo files fresh application to halt trial

    Tompolo files fresh application to halt trial

    A former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to nullify sections 221 and 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 which he said violated his constitutional rights.

    He is seeking an order “nullifying, voiding, striking down and expunging sections 221 and 306 from the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 to the extent of their inconsistency with the 1999 Constitution.”

    Section 221 says: “Objections shall not be taken or entertained during proceedings or trial on the ground of an imperfect or erroneous charge.”

    Section 306 says: “An application for stay of proceedings in respect of a criminal matter before a court shall not be entertained.”

    Tompolo is contending that the sections are unconstitutional because they seek to prevent the court from exercising its jurisdiction to entertain any objection to a criminal charge and an application for a stay of proceedings pending appeal.

    He is, thus, asking the court to stop his trial until the determination of these issues.

    The Federal Government, Attorney-General of the Federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff are the respondents.

    EFCC, on March 22, arraigned Tompolo in absentia over N34billion fraud after he failed to turn up despite being declared wanted. He was said to be “at large”.

    He was charged along with a former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General Patrick Akpobolokemi; Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, Odimiri Electricals Limited and Kemi Engozu.

    EFCC, in the 40-count charge before Justice Ibrahim Buba, said they allegedly diverted N34 billion for personal use, adding that the money accrued from the public private partnership agreement between NIMASA and Global West Vessel Specialist, said to be owned by Tompolo.

    Before then, Justice Buba had, on January 14, issued a warrant for Tompolo’s arrest. But Tompolo, on January 27, filed an application to set the warrant aside. On February 8, Justice Buba dismissed the application. Tompolo thereafter appealed the ruling on February 18.

    In the fresh application filed through his lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, Tompolo is praying the court to declare that Section 221 of the ACJA constitutes a flagrant violation of his fundamental right to fair hearing as guaranteed under Sections 36(1), (4) and (6) of the 1999 Constitution.

    He said the Act “seeks to be an absolute bar to any objection to a criminal charge or information, already filed” against him and others.

    He also wants the court to hold that the AGF and EFCC are not entitled to deploy, use, cite or in any other manner rely on sections 221 and 306 of the ACJA in the prosecution of any criminal charge or information against him and others in any manner that will constitute a flagrant violation of his fundamental right to fair hearing.

    He is seeking an injunction restraining the respondents from filing, prosecuting or further prosecuting any criminal charge or information against him and others, the prosecution of which may constitute a flagrant violation of his fundamental right to fair hearing as guaranteed by sections 36(1), (4) and (6) of the 1999 Constitution and Article VII of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    No date has been fixed for the new case.

    Another charge bordering on stealing, advanced fee fraud and money laundering involving about N22.7billion is still pending against Tompolo before Justice Buba.

    The judge had adjounrned until April 18 for Tompolo’s arraignment on the 22-count charge.

  • Alleged N34b fraud: EFCC arraigns Tompolo in absentia

    Alleged N34b fraud: EFCC arraigns Tompolo in absentia

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Tuesday arraigned a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) at the Federal High Court in Lagos in Lagos in absentia over N34billion fraud.

    He was charged along with a former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General Patrick Akpobolokemi; Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, Odimiri Electricals Limited and Kemi Engozu.

    Others are Boloboere Property and Estate Limited, Rex Elem, Destre Consult Limited, Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warredi Enisuoh.

    EFCC, in the 40-count charge before Justice Ibrahim Buba, said the suspects allegedly diverted N34 billion for personal use.

    It alleged the money accrued from the public private partnership agreement between NIMASA and Global West Vessel Specialist, said to be owned by Tompolo.

    The alleged offence contravenes Section 15 (1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

    Count one reads: “That you, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo) now at large, Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, in 2012 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: Conversion of the sums of N601,516.13 and $1,766,428.62, property of NIMASA, knowing that the said sums were proceeds of stealing, and 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.”

    The defendants, who were all present except Tompolo, pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

    Tompolo will be arraigned on another 22-count charge also pending before Justice Buba, who adjourned it until April 18. It borders on stealing, advanced fee fraud and money laundering involving about N22.7billion.

    In the pending charge, Tompolo will face trial along with Akpobolokemi, whose four brothers – Victor, Nobert, Emmanuel and Clement – said to be at large, were said to have aided the suspects to commit the fraud.

    They were accused of converting various sums running into over N22.7billion stolen from NIMASA to their personal use between December 12, 2014 and April 10, 2015.

    Justice Ibrahim Buba had, on February 8, directed security agencies to arrest Tompolo and held that the warrant of arrest issued for his arrest still subsists.

    Tompolo’s lead counsel, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), had sought to set aside the warrant of arrest, but the judge dismissed the application and re-issued a fresh warrant for Tompolo’s arrest.

    The judge subsequently granted EFCC’s application empowering it to seize all Tompolo’s traceable assets pending his arrest or appearance in court for arraignment. The properties will be auctioned after three months beginning from February 19 when the order was made should Tompolo refuse to turn up, the judge ordered.

    Tompolo appealed the order for his arrest and prayed the appellate court to order the transfer of his case from Justice Buba to another judge.

    His lawyers are urging the Court of Appeal to set aside the warrant of arrest on the basis that Justice Buba erred in law in refusing to nullify it.

    EFCC lawyer Festus Keyamo told reporters yesterday that Tompolo would stand trial whenever he is arrested. He said security agencies are on his trail.

    “It is the duty of the security forces and‎ they are still making efforts to get him. He’s on the run and he cannot continue to be on the run for ever. We will get him,” Keyamo said.

    The other defendants’ lawyers urged Justice Buba to grant them bail in the most liberal terms. Keyamo said since some of the accused persons were already on bail in another charge before the court, they should be granted bail on conditions that would ensure their attendance in court.

    Justice Buba, therefore, granted the defendants N50 million bail with one reliable surety in like sum. Enisuoh‎ was granted bail for N10million with one surety.

    “The defendants who are already on bail are to perfect their bail conditions within 24 hours or be remanded in prison. Those appearing before me for the first time should perfect their bail conditions today or be remanded in prison,” Justice Buba ruled.

    He adjourned until May 23, 24, 25, and 26 for trial.

     

  • NIMASA staff operated ‘contractors’ accounts – witness

    NIMASA staff operated ‘contractors’ accounts – witness

    The Federal High Court in Lagos Wednesday heard that some bank accounts opened in the name of contractors by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) were operated by the agency’s staff.

    NIMASA transferred several millions into the accounts, which were withdrawn or transferred by the agency’s staff, the court heard.

    A branch manager of Zenith Bank, Bar Beach Branch, Victoria Island, Mrs Rita Ifeadi, said she opened the accounts, but that she never set eyes on the signatories.

    She was testifying in the trial of a former NIMASA Director-General, Patrick Akpobolokemi, who was charged along with the agency’s ex-Executive Director, Maritime Safety and Shipping Development, Captain Ezekiel Agaba, his aides Ekene Nwakuche and Governor Juan as well as Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged them with converting N2, 658,957,666 between December 23, 2013 and May 28 last year, to which they pleaded not guilty.

    Ifeadi said as part of her duties, she went to NIMASA to look for deposits. She met Agaba, who asked her to hold on.

    Shortly after, Agaba told her NIMASA wanted to open an account for a committee on the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code implementation.

    “I went back to NIMASA and collected the completed account opening form and the account was opened,” he said.

    She said over N1.2billion was paid into ISPS’ account from NIMASA’s account.

    According to the witness, Agaba later told her there was the need to open another corporate account for Aruward Consulting Services in her branch, which was done.

    Soon after the account was opened in the names of Philip Enuesike and Ima Udo, the chequebook for the account was received by Nwakuche (Agaba’s aide and the third defendant).

    The witness said Nwakuche withdrew N3million cash from Aruward’s account. He later brought a transfer request for N4million from the account, the witness said.

    “The transfer instruction was brought by Nwakuche,” she said, adding that N70million was also transferred to Codes Oil and Gas on Nwakuche’s instruction. Ifeadi said a further N72million was transferred to Gidado BDC.

    Asked by EFCC lawyer who operated Aruward’s account, the witness said: “As at today I can say the account was being operated by Ekene Nwakuche and Governor Juan.”

    She said when the case got to EFCC, the two “agreed they were the people signing on this account.”

    Ifeadi said another account was also opened in the name of Extreme Vertex Limited, with Chukwuemeka Onuoha as signatory.

    She said N11million was paid to Juan from the account, while N10million was paid to Al-Kenzo Logistics.

    From the same account, N100million was paid to Kofa Fada Nigeria Limited (a bureau de change), as well as N85million, among others.

    According to the witness, another account belonging to Southern Offshore Limited, with Phillip Okolo and Uche Obilor as signatories, was credited with N212.6million on February 5, 2014 and with N189.7million on March 14, 2014.

    On March 3, 2014, N33.8million and N35million were paid to Hussani Sabo from the account; on February 18, 2014, N17.1million was paid to Haji Kawa Investment.

    On March 23, 2014, there was a transfer of N20million to Sabo, she said, adding that another N20million was transferred to him on March 27, 2014.

    On March 28, 2014, another N20million was transferred to Sabo; on March 31, 2014, N10million was transferred to him.

    Ifeadi said more transfers were made to Sabo on April 16, 2014 (N42.5million and N43.5million). She said on May 14, 2014, N21million was transferred to Sabo three times.

    “I never set my eyes on the two signatories to the account,” the witness said.

    Justice Ibrahim Buba adjourned until March 10 for continuation of trial.

  • Presidency, NSA approved fund transfers at NIMASA – Witness

    Presidency, NSA approved fund transfers at NIMASA – Witness

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday heard that the presidency, through the ex- National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, approved the transfer of money to some accounts at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    The agency’s Assistant Director, Financial Services Department, Mrs. Olamide Odusanya, said NIMASA opened some accounts without the approval of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

    She said a former NIMASA Director-General, Patrick Akpobolokemi, approved the transfer of over N1billion into one of the accounts.

    According to her, the accounts were opened for the use of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) committee, chaired by NIMASA’s former Executive Director, Maritime Safety and Shipping Development, Capt. Ezekiel Agaba.

    Odusanya testified before Justice Ibrahim Buba in the trial of Akpobolokemi, Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche and Governor Juan, and Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged them with converting N2,658,957,666 between December 23, 2013 and May 28 last year, to which they pleaded not guilty.

    Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, the witness said while the Accountant-General’s permission was obtained before NIMASA’s revenue and operational accounts were opened, no such permission was sought or obtained for ISPS’ four accounts.

    According to the witness, on June 3, 2013, N60.8million was credited to the committee’s account with Access Bank, and on January 3, 2014, N1, 125,400,000 was transferred to the account based on Akpobolokemi’s approval.

     

  • I got NIMASA contract without bidding – Witness

    I got NIMASA contract without bidding – Witness

    The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) allegedly awarded a contract to a businessman, Uche Emenalo, for the provision of security-related services even though he has no experience in security matters, the Federal High Court in Lagos heard on Tuesday.

    Testifying in the trial of a former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General, Patrick Akpobolokemi, Emenalo said he did not bid for the contract.

    According to him, he never submitted any applications to any tenders board for the job

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Akpobolokemi with converting N2.6billion and defrauding the Federal Government of N795.2million.

    He was arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Buba along with Capt. Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited.

    In the 22-count charge, they were accused of converting N2,658,957,666 between December 23, 2013 and May 28 last year.  The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Emenalo said he got N600, 000 out of the money, which he used for “logistics”, including travelling from Owerri, Imo State capital, to Lagos.

    Led in evidence by EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, the witness said he got the contract through Nwakuche, who was his classmate at the university.

    According to him, when he first heard that his friend had secured a job at NIMASA, he told him to remember him whenever there was a job to be executed.

    Emenalo said in 2014, Nwakuche called and asked him to send his company’s name and account details.

    The witness said since he had no registered company, he forwarded details of his brother’s agro-allied services company, O2 Services Plus Limited, to Nwakuche.

    Emenalo said Nwakuche informed him that the contract was security-related, following which funds were paid into its account.

    He said Nwakuche asked him to wait for further directives on how the money would be disbursed.