N3.4bn theft: Prosecution opens case in ex-NIMASA D-G’s trial

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday called its first witness in the trial of a former Director-General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi.

He was arraigned with nine others, including two companies, before Justice Saliu Saidu of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The charge is different from the one before Justice Ibrahim Buba, in which five witnesses have testified for the EFCC.

In the case before Justice Saidu, Akpobolokemi and others were accused of conspiring to convert N3.4 billion belonging to NIMASA, which the commission said “was derived from stealing”.

The others are Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Felix Bob-Nabena, Captain Warredi Enisuoh, Governor Juan, Ugo Fredrick, Timi Alari and two companies – Al-Kenzo Limited and Peniel Engineering Services Limited.

The first prosecution witness, a Compliance Officer at Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Teslim Adekunle, said he was responsible for enquiries from regulatory agencies, such as EFCC.

Led in evidence by EFCC’s lawyer Festus Keyamo, the witness said Zenith, between last August and December, received several enquiries from EFCC.

He said the bank was asked to produce statements of account as well as account opening packages of three companies, namely: Interwind Limited, Margai Integrated Limited and Grandpact Limited. The documents were tendered in evidence.

An argument between the prosecution and defence counsel ensued when Keyamo sought to tender a document on Thlumba Enterprise Limited.

Akpobolokemi’s lawyer Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN) objected on the basis that the document was a photocopy.

Keyamo applied to withdraw the document, but the defence counsel urged the judge to admit the document and mark it as “rejected”.

If marked as rejected, tendering of the original document may be foreclosed.

The EFCC witness earlier informed the court that the original copy was in the bank’s archive.

Justice Saidu adjourned for ruling and continuation of trial today.

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