Tag Archives: Akpobolokemi

‘How Akpobolokemi, others converted NIMASA’s N4.9b into dollars’ – EFCC

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An operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Adamu Usman Yusuf, yesterday told a Federal High Court, Lagos that about N4.9 billion was converted into United States dollars by the former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Patrick Akopobolokemi and others charged with money laundering.

Akopobolokemi is standing trial alongside a former Commander of the Military Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield in the Niger Delta. Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Atewe, Kime Engozu and Josephine Otuaga over a N13 billion fraud.

Led in evidence by EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, the witness told the court that during an investigation, it was discovered that the money was handed over to the third and fourth defendants (Engozu and Otuaga).

Yusuf told the court that the defendants used different companies and accounts to launder billions of money from the Joint Task Force operation account.

The companies are Jagan Limited; Jagan Trading Company Limited; Jagan Global Services Limited; Al-Nald Limited; Paper Warehouse Limited; Eastpoint Integrated Services Limited and De-New link Integrated Services Limited.

The EFCC claimed that the accused committed the alleged fraud between September 5, 2014 and May 20, 2015.

He said during an investigation, letters of request were sent to GTB Bank, Heritage Bank, Diamond Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank as well as First City Monument Bank (FCMB) demanding for account statements and operating documents of beneficiaries of the accounts.

Earlier, the EFCC in an amended 22-count charge alleged that the defendants sometimes in 2014 in Lagos converted to personal use N8, 537, 586, 798.58 property of NIMASA contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

They were also alleged to have between September 5, 2014 and May 20, 2015 converted to personal use the sum of N2,006,270,930.67 through Jagan Limited, property of NIMASA among other charges.

The matter has been adjourned till February 3, 2017 for continuation.

How NIMASA transferred N8.5bn to JTF – EFCC witness.

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An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, witness, Teslim Ajuwon, yesterday, told a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, that Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, under Patrick Akpobolokemi as Director General, moved the sum of N8.5 billion, into the account of the Joint Task Force, JTF, Operation Puelo Shield.

Ajuwon, a Compliance Officer with a first generation bank, stated this in his evidence at the commencement of trial of a former Commander of the Military Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Atewe.

Atewe is being tried alongside Patrick Akpobolokemi, Kime Engozu and Josephine Otuaga over N8.5 billion fraud.

They are been prosecuted by the EFCC on 11 counts bordering on the offence.

Ajuwon, led in evidence at the resumed hearing in the case, the prosecution counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, narrated that on the whole, NIMASA made an in-flow of cash to the tune of N8.5 billion into the account of the JTF, Operation Puelo Shield.

He informed the court that between September 5 and 16, 2014 a total of N1.8 billion was moved from the said account, into the accounts of Jaggan Ltd, Paper House Service Ltd, East Point Services Ltd and Al-nald Ltd.

NIMASA ex-boss used committees to launder funds – EFCC

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An operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Kanu Idagu, yesterday narrated how committees set up by Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) were used to launder funds running into billions of naira, before a Federal High Court in Lagos.

Idagu, testifying as a prosecution witness gave the evidence at the resumed trial of Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former Director General of NIMASA. Akpobolokemi is standing trial alongside nine others on a 40-count charge bordering on the offence.

Others charged 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 had all pleaded not guilty to the charge and were granted bail by the court.

Led in evidence by the prosecutor, Mr. Festus Keyamo, the witness told the court that as head of the EFCC Special task force, he co-ordinates investigations, as well as carry out searches and arrest.

He told the court that the force received a petition in the last quarter of 2015, of some activities in NIMASA, during the period when Akpobolokemi was DG.

According to him, his team embarked on the investigation and in the process, discovered that NIMASA had set up various committees some of which were used to launder monies through companies and the bureau de change.

He said that specifically, a committee on intelligence was set up and headed by the second accused, with an Access Bank account Number 0688939609, opened for the receipt of monies.

The witness said: “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 workers for their personal use.”He told the court that one of such companies was Aler Integrated Services Ltd, whose alter ego was one Uche Obilor.

“Another company is Kofa Fada Ltd, a bureau de change company, which the second accused 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.”

After the witness’ oral testimony, the prosecutor then prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him to present documentary evidence. Consequently, Justice Saliu Saidu adjourned the case to December 15 and 19 for continuation.

Witness tells court how Ex DG of NIMASA, others laundered billions of Naira

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An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, Kanu Idagu, in the ongoing trial of former Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Patrick Akpobolokemi, and nine others yesterday told a Federal High Court in Lagos how the defendants set up some committees to launder billions of naira belonging to the agency.

Akpobolokemi is standing trial alongside nine others on a 40-count charge bordering on conspiracy, fraud and money laundering.

Others facing the same charge 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 had all pleaded not guilty to the charge and were granted bail by the court.

Idagu, an operative of EFCC, while being led in evidence by the prosecutor, Festus Keyamo, told the court that as head of the EFCC Special Task Force, he co-ordinates investigations, as well as carries out searches and arrest.

The witness also informed the court that the force received a petition in the last quarter of 2015, of some activities in NIMASA, during the period when Akpobolokemi was DG.

According to him, his team embarked on investigation and in the process, discovered that NIMASA had set up various committees some of which were used to launder monies through companies and bureau de change.

Idagu further testified that a committee on intelligence was set up and headed by the second accused, with an Access bank account number 0688939609 opened for the receipt of monies.

He said, “Between Dec. 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,” he said.

He told the court that one of such companies was Aler Integrated Services Ltd, whose alter ego was one Uche Obilor.

“Another company is Kofa Fada Ltd, a bureau de change company which the second accused 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.”

Tompolo Bribed Akpobolokemi To Defraud NIMASA Of N23.8bn – Witness

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An investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ahmed Ghali, claimed on Monday that a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, defrauded the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency of about N23.8bn between April 2012 and March 2015, through a contract awarded to his company.

Ghali claimed that the N23.8bn was an overpayment on the said contract awarded to Tompolo’s company, Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, by NIMASA under the watch of a former Director-General of the agency, Patrick Akpobolokemi.

Ghali also alleged that Akpobolokemi breached the private-partnership agreement in the award of the contract to Tompolo’s company in return for a bribe of N700m.

According to him, the contract was for the  “improvement of security within the Nigeria maritime domain, improvement in data collection, improvement of cabotage and revenue generation enforcement, improvement of safety of life at sea and enhancement of search and rescue, improvement in pollution control and management leading to cleaner waters.”

Ghali appeared on Monday as the first prosecution witness before a Federal High Court in Lagos where the EFCC filed a 40-count of alleged N45.9bn fraud against Tompolo, Akpobolokemi and eight others.

While Akpobolokemi and the eight others defendants were arraigned on March 22, 2016, Tompolo, who had shunned a court’s summons served on him to appear in court, has yet to be arraigned.

The other defendants in the alleged fraud case filed before Justice Ibrahim Buba are Kime Engozu, Rex Elem, Gregory Mbonu and Capt. Warredi Enisuoh.

Others are Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, Odimiri Electrical Limited, Boloboere Property and Estate Limited and Destre Consult Limited.

Led in evidence on Monday by the EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, Ghali claimed that NIMASA and Tompolo’s company entered into a public-private partnership agreement on April 3, 2012.

Ghali claimed that the fraud began when a benchmark for sea protection levy was altered, adding that despite protests by a NIMASA director, Victor Onwuzuruike, the alteration was approved by Akpobolokemi.

He said, “Based on this fraudulent benchmark, which was not in line with the PPP agreement, Mr. Akpobolokemi approved payment of the total sum of N132,590,694.86 and $42,331,549.85 between 2012 and 2015 from the sea protection levy generated by NIMASA in favour of Global West.

“Investigation revealed that apart from the fraudulent payment of the sea protection to Global West, NIMASA, under Mr. Akpobolokemi, also compromised the benchmark stipulated in Schedule III of the agreement.

“In violent breach of the sacrosanct provision of the PPP agreement, Mr. Akpobolokemi, on June 4, 2012, gave a verbal directive to the committee on benchmark to prepare another benchmark contrary to the agreement.

“NIMASA overpaid Global West with a whopping sum of N2,935,250,447.06 and $114,750,076.35 (about N22,863,952,712.74) between April 2012 and March 2015,” Ghali said.

According to him, Global West allegedly paid kickbacks to Akpobolokemi through a company in which he is a director.

 

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NIMASA: N97m Was Transferred To My Account For Forex – Bank Official

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A Bureau-de-Change operator, Wakili Daudu, on Monday told a Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere how N97.1 million was paid into his account by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) without  executing any contract for the agency.

Daudu, who spoke through an interpreter, said this at the ongoing trial of former Director-General  of NIMASA, Patrick Apobolokemi, and six others.

Akpobolokemi was araigned alongside Ezekiel Agaba,  Ekene Nwakuche, Amechee Juan, Vincent Udoye, Adegboyega Olopoeni and a company — Gama Maine Nigeria Ltd.

The accused were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 13-count charge bordering on stealing N754.7 million meant for the implementation of Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member- State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS).

Daudu, a prosecution witness, was led in evidence by Mr Rotimi Oyedipo before Justice Raliat Adebiyi.

He said  he was contacted by a man, Mohammed Darlington, who told him that his boss, Ezekiel Agaba wanted to change some money into dollars.

The witness said that on Oct. 30, 2014 the sum of N35. 7 million was paid into his account by Darlington, who claimed to be working for the second accused.

He further stated that on the same day,  the sum of N61. 4 million was also paid into his account.

Daudu said the money was changed into dollars and handed over to Darlington.

Adebiyi adjourned the case till May 10 for continuation of trial.

 

(NAN)

Court Adjourns Trial Of Ex NIMASA DG, Others Till April 18

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A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday fixed April 18 for continuation of the trial of former NIMASA boss, Patrick Akpobolokemi and five others, charged with N2.6 billion theft.
Justice Ibrahim Buba adjourned the case which was earlier fixed for trial, to April 18.
The adjournment was at the instance of the court.
The judge said it was saddled with much work load and so fixed the continuation of trial on the next adjourned date.
Akpobolokemi is standing trial alongside Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Amaechi Juan and two companies, Blockz and Stonez Ltd and Al-Kenzo Logistics Ltd, on a 22-count charge bordering on the offence.
The accused are charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
They had all pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Justice Buba had granted them bail in the sum of N50 million each, with two sureties each in like sum.
In the charge, the accused were said to have committed the alleged offences between December 2013 and March 2014.
The prosecution alleged that in February 2014 in Lagos, the accused persons conspired to convert about N437 million belonging to NIMASA.
They were said to have on January 9, 2014 converted to their private use, about N66 million and between April and August 2014, converted the sums of N21 million and N53 million respectively, to their use.
The total sums of money allegedly converted by the accused is said to have amounted to about N2.6 billion.
The offence is said to have contravened the provisions of Sections, 15 (1), 15 (3) and 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2012.

 

(NAN)

Alleged theft of N754m Fraud: Ex-NIMASA Boss, Akpobolokemi, Others Lose In Court

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An Igbosere High Court, Lagos, on Monday dismissed a preliminary objection filed by a former Director-General of Nigeria Maritime Administration Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, challenging the jurisdiction of the court over alleged stealing of N754.7 million.

 

Mr. Akpobolokemi is standing trial on a 13-count charge of stealing.

 

He was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alongside Captain Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Vincent Udoye, Captain Sahib Olopoenia and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Ltd.

 

Mr. Akpobolokemi had through his lawyer, Joseph Nwobike (SAN), filed a notice of preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the suit.

 

He argued that by virtue of provisions of Section 251 (1) (a) and (3) of the Constitution, only a Federal High Court had exclusive jurisdiction to hear cases pertaining to and or connected with the revenues of the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agencies.

 

Also, the 4th accused, Governor Juan, through his counsel, Ige Asemudara, also filed a similar application.

 

Ruling on the preliminary objections, Justice Raliat Adebiyi, dismissed all the objections raised by the applicants on the grounds that they lacked merit.

The court held that the applicants wrongly raised the issue of double jeopardy.

She also said that there was no connection between the two charges filed against some of the accused before the Federal High Court and the one before the High Court of Lagos State.

 

Justice Adebiyi held that the offence of stealing was clearly within the jurisdiction of the Lagos High court.

She added that it would be too early at this stage of proceedings to determine whether Lagos High Court lacked jurisdiction to determine the suit.

 

The judge held that the issue of jurisdiction could be raised at any stage of the proceedings.

 

The applicants had in their preliminary objections argued that the provisions of Section 251 (1) (a), (P) and (3) of the Constitution supercedes the provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 and that of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act, 2004.

 

They also argued that the High Court of Lagos lacked the requisite jurisdiction to entertain criminal cases and matters arising from the revenue of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

But the EFCC, in its counter-affidavit, urged the court to refuse the application in the interest of justice more so when the prove of evidence before the court clearly linked the applicants to the alleged offence.

The accused were arraigned on Jan. 25 by the EFCC over alleged stealing of N754. 7million belonging to NIMASA.

 

They pleaded not guilty the charges and were granted bail.

 

The case was adjourned to April 14 and 20 for trial.

 

(NAN)

NIMASA Fraud: Court Admits More Exhibits Against Akpobolokemi, Others

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A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has admitted more exhibits against a former Director- General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi and five others.

At the resumed hearing of the matter on Tuesday, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, presented one of the three witnesses he earlier brought before the court.

The witness, Olamide Ogunsanya, an Assistant Director in NIMASA disclosed to the court, how the sum of 795,200,000 Naira was paid into the International Shipping and Port Safety (ISPS), account and how the same amount was disbursed.

The witness told the court that approval for the disbursement of the money came from the office of Mr Akpobolokemi.

The document conveying the presidential approval through the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), was identified by the witness and same was admitted as exhibit P22.

On the document, Mrs Ogunsanya identified the endorsement of the first accused person, Akpobolokemi.

Also tendered through the witness, are letters from NIMASA to the Accountant General of Federation and approval from the Accountant General’s office.

The documents were eventually admitted as exhibits P24 and P25 respectively.

The witness also identified the third accused person, Ekene Nwakuche as the first beneficiary in the disbursement of the 795,200,000 Naira.

She told the court that between September 16, 2014 and November 6, 2014, Nwakuche received 3,000,000 Naira each, on eight occasions, from the ISPS account totalling 28,000,000 Naira.

Other beneficiaries are Avant Guard Securities, 94,000,000 Naira; Extreme Vertex Limited, 318,000,000 Naira ; Suco Global, 15,000,000 Naira; O2 Services Limited, 21,200,000 Naira and 16,000,000 Naira; and Aroward Consulting, 70,000,000 Naira.

The witness said that there was a balance of 198, 635 Naira (left in the account).

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