EFCC slams another 22-count charge on ex- NIMASA DG, Akpolobokemi, 5 others

The embattled former Director General (DG) of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Patrick Ziadeke Akpolo­bokemi, was again on Friday, arraigned before Justice Ibra­him Buba at the Federal High Court, Lagos, on 22-count charge bordering on alleged theft of N2, 569, 457, 666. 60 billion.

The immediate past NIMASA DG was docked along with Cap­tain Ezekiel Bala Agaba; Ekene Nwakuche; Governor Ameche Juan; Blockz and Stonez Nigeria Limited and Al-Kenzo Nigeria Limited by the anti-graft agen­cy, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Recall that Akpolobokemi and nine others were also docked on Thursday before Justice Sa­liu Saidu of the same court on a 30-count charge of alleged theft of N3.4 billion.

All the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and admitted to different bail conditions.

Justice Buba however ordered that they should all be remanded in prison custody pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, while he adjourned the case till January 29, 2016, for trial.

However, in the new charge Akpolobokemi and his co-ac­cused also pleaded not guilty to the charge proffered against them by EFCC.

In the new charge marked FHC/L/511c/15, the EFCC al­leged that Akpolobokemi along­side Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba; Ekene Nwakuche and Governor Ameche Juan, had on or about February 4, 2014, did conspire to commit the act by converting the said sum, property of NIMASA, which was derived from stealing.

The accused persons were also alleged to have with intent to de­fraud conspired by inducing the Federal government of Nigeria to approve and deliver the said sum, under the false pretence that the money represented the cost for the implementation of the International Ship and Ports Security (ISPS), Code in Nigeria Ports.

The alleged offences accord­ing to the anti-graft agency pros­ecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, are contrary to sections 15(1), 18(a) 8(a), 1(b) of the Money Launder­ing (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012, and punishable un­der section 15(3) and 1(3) of the same Act.

Following the plea of the ac­cused persons, the EFCC pros­ecutor, Mr. Oyedepo, urged the court to remand them in prison custody pending the determina­tion of the charge.

But the lawyers to the ac­cused persons led by Dr. Joseph Nwobike, SAN, urged the court to admit the accused persons to

bail in the most favourable terms.