The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, on a new charge of converting N2.6billion.
He was also accused of defrauding the Federal Government to the tune of N795.2million.
Akpobolokemi was arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Buba along with three others – Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan – and three companies, namely, Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited.
In a 22-count charge, they were accused of converting a total of N2,658,957,666 between December 23, 2013 and May 28 this year. The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
Akpobolokemi and nine others, including two companies, were earlier arraigned before Justice Saliu Saidu of the same court on Thursday.
They were accused of conspiring among themselves to convert N3.4billion belonging to NIMASA. They had also pleaded not guilty.
In the November 23 charge signed by Festus Keyamo and Rotimi Iseoluwa, EFCC said Akpobolokemi, Agaba, Nwakuche and Juan conspired to convert and converted N437.7million between December 23, 2013 and March 13, 2014 in Lagos.
The money, which the agency said belongs to NIMASA, “was derived from stealing”.
The alleged offences contravene Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.
They were also accused of converting N525,000,000 on November 6, 2014 and N402,480,000 between February 5, 2014 and March 13, 2014.
The defendants were also accused of inducing the Federal Government to approve and deliver to NIMASA the sum of N795,200,000 under the false pretence that the sum represented the cost for the implementation of the International Ship and Ports Security Code in Nigeria Ports.
The offence, EFCC said, flouted Section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Act.
The prosecution also alleged the defendants “did conspire among yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: conversion of the sum of N176,000,000, property of NIMASA,” among others.
After pleading not guilty to all the counts, prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Iseoluwa, urged the court to remand the accused person in prison, adding that EFCC was ready for trial.
But defence counsel, Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN), said he had a bail application on the defendants’ behalf. He prayed the court to grant the defendants bail.
Ruling, Justice Buba granted them bail in the sum of N50million, with one surety each in like sum.
The surety, he said, must have a landed property in Lagos and must present evidence of current tax clearance.
The judge said the defendants must deposit their international passports with the court and must not travel outside Nigeria without permission.
Justice Buba said the trial would be held day-to-day until judgment, saying he would not tolerate any delays by any of the parties.
He adjourned till Monday for commencement of trial.