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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