PHOTOS: Former Nimasa Boss, Akpobolokemi, 3 Others Arraigned Over N2.3bn Fraud

Press statement from EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission today December 4, 2015 arraigned a former Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Patrick Ziadeke Akpobolokemi, Executive Director Captain Eziekiel Bala Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Amechee Juan, Blockz and Stonz Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistics Limited before Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court Lagos on twenty-two count charge of conspiracy fraudulent conversion and Money Laundering.

The accused persons are alleged to have fraudulently converted the sum of N2, 365,600,000 meant for the implementing of the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code which NIMASA was the designated implementation agency. The former DG was said to have gotten presidential approval for the release of the said monies through the office of the then National Security Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Colonel Sambo Dasuki. For the purpose of executing the ISPS, a committee chaired by Captain Bala was set up by Akpobolokemi. Other members of the committee are Captain Warredi Enisuoh Mr Vincent Udoye, Governor Amechee Juan, Captain OBF Ola dipole and two NPA staff. The committee was mandated to coordinate the activities relating to the ISPS in line with international regulations and the scope in Nigeria.

Investigation, however, revealed that, upon receiving the money, the committee instead of executing the project diverted the entire sum to their personal use, using companies owned by them and their associates to lauder the illegal proceeds. One of the counts read that, "you Patrick Ziadeke Akpobolokemi, Captain Eziekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Amechee Juan between 23rd of December 2013 and 13th March 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this court did commit an offence to wit; conversion of the sum N437,726,666,66 (Four Hundred and Thirty Seven Million, Seven Hundred and Twenty Six Thousand , Sixty and Six Kobo) property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (1) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition ) ( Amendment ) Act 2012 and punishable under section 15 ( 3 ) of the same Act”. The accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges read to them. In view of the plea of the accused persons, prosecuting Counsel Rotimi Oyedepo requested for trial date and also prayed the court to remand the accused persons in prison custody.

Counsel representing the accused persons: Joseph Nwobike, SAN for the first accused person, Pascal Madu for the second accused person, Lanre Olayinka for the third, fifth and sixth accused persons, A. I Asemundara for the fourth accused person, filed bail applications praying the court to admit their clients to bail. Justice Buba granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N50, 000,000 each with one surety in like sum. The surety must be a resident of Lagos with a landed property to be verified by the court registrar. Each accused and the surety must deposit their international passport and a passport photograph with the court registry.

He further added that each accused must sign an undertaking that he will not delay the trial. Justice Buba also ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prison pending perfection of their bail terms. The case was subsequently adjourned to December 7, 2015 for the commencement of trial.

Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
4th December, 2015

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Posted: at 5-12-2015 06:51 AM (8 years ago) | Addicted Hero

Dis country has been damaged too much with corruption everywhere.......

Posted: at 5-12-2015 07:15 AM (8 years ago) | Upcoming

Still confused about what is happening,Anyway let me still be observing.

Posted: at 5-12-2015 07:52 AM (8 years ago) | Hero

na wa oooooooooo

Posted: at 5-12-2015 10:32 AM (8 years ago) | Grande Master

No be small money them thief during Goodluck Tenure

Posted: at 5-12-2015 12:29 PM (8 years ago) | Gistmaniac

Catch dem all, try dem all, prosecute dem all nd jail dem all

Posted: at 5-12-2015 03:02 PM (8 years ago) | Upcoming

God don catch ham... una time has end.

Posted: at 6-12-2015 08:31 AM (8 years ago) | Gistmaniac

Big big criminals in this country where do they see all this money to steal while the poor man has not seen a common breakfast.

Posted: at 8-12-2015 07:59 AM (8 years ago) | Hero

Mony dan mk many pple to sin...

Posted: at 6-03-2016 11:49 AM (8 years ago) | Gistmaniac

These are some of the members of the Alibaba gang that
defied the law of looting like Micheal Jackson defied the law
of gravity. They looted in wanton abandon like maniacs.
They never failed to make it loud and clear, to all and
sundry, that 'na awa oyel'.
To crown the madness, they were lodged in the choicest
hotels at the nation expense while the frenzy lasted...

Posted: at 3-07-2016 12:58 PM (7 years ago) | Hero