Former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi was on Monday re-arrested by security agents outside the premises of the Federal High Court, Lagos, shortly after his trial for allegedly defrauding the Federal Government was adjourned by the court.
Akpobolokemi was whisked into a waiting bus by plain cloth operatives and policemen, despite efforts by his lawyer, Dr. Joseph Nwobike SAN, to prevent his re-arrest.
The former NIMASA boss’ re-arrest was in connection with a fresh allegations of fraud worth over N12bn meant for a maritime university.
Akpobolokemi was alleged to have paid the sum, N11,737,854,485.00 into a company suspected to be owned by one Chief Government Ekpemopolo, better known as Tompolo. He is also believed to have diverted N816 million meant for the Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Members State Audit, VIMSAS.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had arraigned Akpobolokemi and three others on charges of converting N2.6billion as well as defrauding the Federal Government to the tune of N795.2million.
Others that were arraigned alongside the former NIMASA boss are Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, and three companies, namely Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited.
They were arraigned on a 22-count charge of converting N2,658,957,666 between December 23, 2013 and May 28 this year for their personal use.
All accused persons however pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Justice Ibrahim Buba adjourned the case till January 18 after lawyer to the three of the accused persons, Mr. Seni Adio, sought for more time to study the case file as he had just been briefed.
“I don’t even have a copy of the charge; I have no document whatsoever,” Adio said.
