New revelations have been made against the ex NIMASA boss as his trial over money laundering continues in court.
Patrick Akpobolokemi
Mr. Kanu Idagu, an EFCC witness, on Monday made a startling revelation.
He told a Federal High Court in Lagos how some committees were set
up at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency as conduit
pipes to steal money running into billions of Naira.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Idagu, an operative of
EFCC, gave the evidence at the resumed trial of Patrick Akpobolokemi, a
former Director General of NIMASA, who is being tried alongside nine
others on a 40-count charge bordering on money laundering.
Others charged with him are Capt. Bala Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Felix
Bob-Nabena, Capt. Warredi Enisouh, Governor Juan, Ugo Frederick and
Timi Alari.
Two companies — Al-kenzo Ltd. and Penniel Engineering Services Ltd
are also facing trial. They all pleaded not guilty to the charge and
were granted bail by the court.
Led in evidence by the prosecutor, Mr. Festus Keyamo, the witness
told the court that as head of the EFCC Special Task Force, he was in
charge of investigations and carries out searches and arrests.
He told the court that the commission received a petition in the
last quarter of 2015 about activities in NIMASA during the tenure of
Akpobolokemi as DG.
He said that his team embarked on investigations and discovered
that NIMASA had set up various committees some of which were used to
launder monies through companies and bureau de change.
He said that specifically, a committee on intelligence was set up
and headed by the second accused, with an Access bank account no.
0688939609 opened for the receipt of monies.
He said, “Between Dec. 20, 2013 and July 7, 2015, the committee received money in tranches running into 1.5 billion.
“The chairman of the committee raised several internal memos to
the Director of Finance and Accounts, wherein it was claimed that the
funds were to be used for intelligence-based security activities.
“The companies used in furtherance of these activities were either owned or nominated by NIMASA staff for their personal use.”
Idagu said one of such companies was Aler Integrated services Ltd. whose alter ego was one Uche Obilor.
He said, “Another company is Kofa Fada Ltd., a bureau de change
company which the second accused instructed Obilor to transfer the sum
of N10 million into.
“The sum of N2 million was also transferred into the account of
one Al-Kenzo Logistics, whose alter ego is the third accused, Ekene
Nwakuche.
“The second accused also made a claim of a business contract
between NIMASA and one Kofa Fada Ltd., with the sum of N26 million
transferred to the companies’ account.
“While the dollar equivalent was handed to him.
“The second accused also transferred the sum of N86 million to
one Usseinian Ltd., and the dollar equivalent transferred to him.”
According to the witness, the third accused, Nwakuche who is the
personal assistant to the second accused, was asked to coordinate
accounts for the purpose of diverting money.
He said the third accused formulated an Enterprise Bank account in
the name of Adams CDA Global Services, belonging to one of his friends.
Idagu also claimed that the accused transferred into the account
the sum of N120 million, while the dollar equivalent was handed over to
the second accused.
The witness said the third accused also nominated an access bank
account for Gidoga Investment Ltd. with the sum of N65 million
transferred into same account.
Idagu said other accounts were opened in the names of companies
such as Ballon and Associates, KXM procurement Ltd, FBA Nasbela and Co,
Crescent Pillars and Co, as well as Penniel Engineering Services.
He said that in all, a total of N422, 680 million was directly
transferred to the second accused, who claimed that same was remitted to
the first accused.
After the witness’ oral testimony, the prosecutor urged the court
for an adjournment to enable him to present documentary evidence.
Consequently, Justice Saliu Saidu adjourned the case to Dec. 15 and Dec. 19 for continuation of trial.
The accused were alleged to have committed the offences between
December 2013 and July 2015 and converted over N3.4 billion belonging to
NIMASA to personal uses.
The offence contravened the provisions of Sections 15 (1), (3), and
18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2012.
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