A
Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere has dismissed an application by a
former Director -General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and
Safety Agency, NIMASA, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi challenging its
jurisdiction to entertain his trial.
Akpobolokemi,
is standing trial, alongside five others, on a 13- count charge
bordering on conspiracy, stealing and fraudulent conversion of funds to
the tune of N687, 294, 680 (Six Hundred and Eighty Seven Million, Two
Hundred and Ninety Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty Naira). His
co-accused persons are: Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba; Ekene Nwakuche;
Governor Amechee Juan; Vincent Udoye, Captain Ade Sahib Olopoenia and
Gama Marine Nigeria Limited.
At
the resumed hearing of the matter on Monday, Justice R.I.B Adebiyi
threw out Akpobolokemi's suit challenging the jurisdiction of the court,
stressing that the application lacked merit. "This court finds
preliminary objections raised by 1st and 4th defendants/ applicants to
lack merit, both preliminary objections are accordingly dismissed", he
said.
Counsel
to Akpobolokemi, Joseph Nwobike, SAN, while arguing against the
jurisdiction of the court to try his client, hinged his objection on the
fact that, "only the Federal High Court has exclusive jurisdiction over
matters and cases arising from, pertaining to, or connected with the
revenue of the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agencies". He was
joined by counsel to the fourth defendant, A. Ige Asemudara who also
brought an application for preliminary objection before the court. All
the applications have now been dismissed by the court.
Justice Adebiyi subsequently adjourned the matter till 14, 20 April and 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 13 May, 2016 for trial.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
21st March, 2016
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