Alleged N2.3 Bn Scam: Witness says He Shared N121 m on Accused’s Instruction

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  today presented the sixth witness in the ongoing trial of a former Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi and five others for the alleged diversion of over Two Billion Naira.

Others are Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Ameche Juan, Blokz and Stonz Limited and Alkenzo Logistics Limited. 

At the resumed hearing today, the prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo,  led in evidence one Uchenna Emenalo,  younger brother to Emeka Emenalo, the owner of O2 Services Limited, the company that was allegedly used to divert part of the proceeds from the Committee on International Shipping and Ports Security in NIMASA. 

Uchenna told the court that he approached the third accused person, Ekene Nwakuche as a former school mate to help him secure any contract that his brother's company, O2 Services Limited could handled. 

The witness further disclosed that after his discussion with the third accused person, he was asked to provide their company’s name and account details.

The witness told the court how between March 2014 and June 2015, O2 Services Limited received about One Hundred and Twenty One Million which he personally disbursed based on instructions from the third accused person Ekene Nwakuche. The third accused persons provided him with different account number into which the said amount was paid. 

   When confronted with exhibit P17a and b which are documents that supposedly emanated from O2 Services Limited as Contract Application Document and Invoices for payment,  the witness said the signatures on the documents were neither his, nor his brother's. Asked whether any of the contract awarded to his brother’s company were executed, the witnessed said ‘no’.

Earlier in his evidence,  Uchenna admitted that O2 Services Limited is into Agro Allied Products and lacked competence in security related services.

The witness also denied knowing any General Manager, Field Operations at O2 services Limited as the company is solely run by his brother. 

During cross examination, Joseph Nwobike, SAN, counsel for the first accused person asked the witness if he runs any business by himself to which he answered, no. Uchenna also confirmed that Ekene told him that the contract was Security related but that their company would be registered as RSO, Registered Security Organisation.

 E.D Onyeke counsel for the second accused person asked the witness if in the statement he made to EFCC he mentioned the email address of his brother or the address of O2 Services Limited.  Uchenna said he only used his house address in his statement as he was not asked the office address. The witness also said the same thing when he was asked if he gave the EFCC a copy of his brother's company letterhead. 

When asked by Adio, counsel to Ekene, whether he benefitted from the money that was paid into O2 Services Limited account, Uchenna admitted receiving the sum of  Six Hundred Thousand Naira for Logistics and bank charges.