Skip to main content

How ex-NIMASA boss, Akpobolokemi converted N4.5bn to US dollars- Witness

Patrick Akpobolokemi and five others are tried for N2.3bn fraud

Patrick Akpobolokemi and five others are tried for N2.3bn fraud

A star witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Adamu Usman Yusuf, Monday told a Federal High Court in Lagos southwest Nigeria how about N4.9 billion was converted into United States dollars by a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi and other accused charged with money laundering.

Akpobolokemi is standing trial alongside a former Commander of the Military Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield in the Niger Delta, Major General Emmanuel Atewe, Kime Engozu and Josephine Otuaga over N13 billion fraud.

Adamu Usman while been led in evidence by EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that during investigation, it was discovered that the money was handed over to the 3rd and 4th accused (Engozu and Otuaga).

Adamu told the trial judge, Saliu Saidu that “at the end of our investigation, we discovered that about N4.9 billion was converted into United States dollars and the money was handed to the 3rd and 4th accused persons”.

“We also recovered evidence, where the defendants acknowledged the receipt of the money and same was forwarded to forensic audit unit for expert opinion”.

Yusuf told the court that the defendants used different companies and accounts to launder billions of money from Joint Task Force operation account.

The companies are: Jagan Ltd; Jagan Trading Company Ltd; Jagan Global Services Ltd; Al-Nald Ltd; Paper Warehouse Ltd; Eastpoint Integrated Services Ltd and De-New link Integrated Services Ltd.The accused committed the alleged offence of fraud between Sept. 5, 2014 and May 20, 2015.

He said during the investigation, letters of request were sent to GTB bank, Heritage Bank, Diamond Bank, Stanbic IBTC bank, as well as First City Monument Bank (FCMB) demanding for account statements and operating documents of beneficiaries of the accounts.

The witness made a power point presentation to the court to corroborate his evidence.

Before the commencement of trial today, the EFCC in an amended 22-count charge filed before the court alleged that the accused sometime in 2014 in Lagos converted the sum of N8, 537, 586, 798.58 property of NIMASA contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amemdeent) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

They were also alleged to have between September 5, 2014 and May 20, 2015 converted to personal use the sum of N2,006,270,930.67 through Jagan Limited, property of NIMASA.

Some of the counts read: That you, Patrick Ziadeke Akpobolokemi, Major General Emmmanuel Atewe, Josphine Otuaga Kime Enzogu between 5th days of September, 2014 and 22nd May, 2015 in Lagos converted the sum of N1, 147, 723, 362.42 through Jagan Trading Company Limited property of NIMASA contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amended) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

“That you Patrick Ziadeke Akpobolokemi, Major General Emmanuel Atewe ,Josphine Otuaga, and Kime Engozu within the jurisdiction of the court converted the sum of N1, 871, 795, 679. 14 through Eastpoint Integrated Services Limited, property of NIMASA”

The accused were also alleged to have between September 5, 2014 and May 20, 2015 converted to private use the sum of N 2, 006, 270, 930, .63 through Jagan limited, property of NIMASA contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amended) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

In the charge, the anti-graft agency also alleged that the accused conspired to defraud NIMASA of N605, 645, 750.00 million through Paper Warehouse Limited.

When the charge was read to all the accused persons they all pleaded not guilty.

The offence is also said to have contravened the provisions of Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act Cap. C. 38, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

The matter has been adjourned till February 3, 2017 for continuation of trial.

Akin Kuponiyi

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Houthis Claim Attack on Central Israel in Response to Gaza ‘Massacres’

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a concerning regional turn as the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for an attack on central Israel. The group announced this as part of their escalating response to what they describe as "massacres" in Gaza amid the Israeli military’s operations in the strip. Details of the Attack The Houthis, a Shiite militant group with ties to Iran, declared that they launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel. While the exact impact of these attacks remains unclear, reports suggest that Israel’s defense systems intercepted several threats over its airspace. This marks a significant escalation as the Houthis widen their involvement in the conflict beyond their typical operations within Yemen and neighboring Saudi Arabia. The Houthis’ Justification In their statement, the Houthis framed the attack as retaliation for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which they characterized as indiscriminate bombings resultin...
Post a Comment
Read more

Fire: UniJos Senate convenes emergency meeting on Monday

Fire at the University of Jos Library University of Jos is to convene an emergency senate meeting on Monday to review the level of damage done to the institution by the Saturday night inferno. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sebastian Maimako, disclosed this on Sunday after inspecting areas affected by the incident. The fire, which lasted for more than six hours, destroyed the Library Complex that equally houses the faculties of management and social sciences. The fire also destroyed examination scripts, books and very crucial materials. Consequently, the vice-chancellor said “the Senate will meet tomorrow (Monday) to take a decision about the unmarked examination scripts that were burnt.” On the cause of the inferno, Maimako said investigation had commenced, adding that “nothing has been confirmed yet. We are still investigating.” The vice chancellor said the school was already working with federal authorities toward establishing a main fire station since the mini fire station in t...
Post a Comment
Read more

NDLEA arrests 252 suspects, seizes 3,073 kg Indian hemp

NDLEA operatives The NDLEA in Niger on Monday said that it had arrested 252 suspects and seized 3,073.9 kilogramme of Indian hemp(cannabis sativa) in the state. The NDLEA Commander in the state, Mr Joseph Iweajunwa, who disclosed this in Minna, said that the operations were carried out between January and September. “Our operations in Niger State from January to September 2016 led to the arrest of 252 suspects and seizure of 3,073.997 kilogramme of cannabis sativa,’’ he said. Iweajunwa said that within the period, the agency also seized 1, 530 litres of liquid drugs, especially cough syrup with codeine. He said the NDLEA also counselled and rehabilitated 90 drug addicts in the state within the period under review. The agency, he added, secured convictions of only nine of the suspects because the judge at the Federal High Court, Minna, went on leave. “ Now that the judge has resumed more suspects will be tried,’’ he said. He advised motorists, especially commercial vehicle dri...
Post a Comment
Read more