How Ex-NIMASA DG, others allegedly diverted project funds – Witness

The trial of Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former Director General of
the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, who
is being prosecuted for alleged N754 million fraud, continued on
Monday before Justice Raliat Adebiyi of State High Court sitting in
Ikeja, Lagos, with a prosecution witness, Chukwuma Orji, revealing
how the former NIMASA boss allegedly failed to execute contracts
budgeted for by the Agency.

Patrick Akpobolokemi is facing trial alongside Ezekiel Agaba,
Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Vincent Udoye, Adegboyega Olopoenia
and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Limited, on a 13-count charge
bordering on diversion of funds to the tune of N754 million.

While under cross-examination by the defence, Mr. Orji, an
investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
EFCC, told the court that the Vimsat Committee under NIMASA did not
execute the contracts that were budgeted and paid for by
NIMASA.

In his further testimony, he said committee members diverted the
funds to their personal use.

Mr. Orji also told the court that during investigation of the
Vimsat Committee, it was revealed that there were items in the
contracts and the terms of the approved budget, which included
training and re-training of 6,000 seafarers, purchase of Global
Maritime Distress and Safety Access, GMD, purchase of communication
gadgets and other related equipment, as well as their
maintenance.

The investigator, who informed the court that an audit query was
issued to Mr. Akpobolokemi by NIMASA, which he acted upon, further
stated that money was paid into the account of Arrow World
Consulting Company from the account of Vimsat Committee and
subsequently diverted to individuals’ accounts for personal
use.

Justice Adebiyi adjourned the case to February 22, 23 and 27for
continuation of trial.

The trial of Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former Director General of
the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, who
is being prosecuted for alleged N754 million fraud, continued on
Monday before Justice Raliat Adebiyi of State High Court sitting in
Ikeja, Lagos, with a prosecution witness, Chukwuma Orji, revealing
how the former NIMASA boss allegedly failed to execute contracts
budgeted for by the Agency.

Patrick Akpobolokemi is facing trial alongside Ezekiel Agaba,
Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Vincent Udoye, Adegboyega Olopoenia
and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Limited, on a 13-count charge
bordering on diversion of funds to the tune of N754 million.

While under cross-examination by the defence, Mr. Orji, an
investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
EFCC, told the court that the Vimsat Committee under NIMASA did not
execute the contracts that were budgeted and paid for by
NIMASA.

In his further testimony, he said committee members diverted the
funds to their personal use.

Mr. Orji also told the court that during investigation of the
Vimsat Committee, it was revealed that there were items in the
contracts and the terms of the approved budget, which included
training and re-training of 6,000 seafarers, purchase of Global
Maritime Distress and Safety Access, GMD, purchase of communication
gadgets and other related equipment, as well as their
maintenance.

The investigator, who informed the court that an audit query was
issued to Mr. Akpobolokemi by NIMASA, which he acted upon, further
stated that money was paid into the account of Arrow World
Consulting Company from the account of Vimsat Committee and
subsequently diverted to individuals’ accounts for personal
use.

Justice Adebiyi adjourned the case to February 22, 23 and 27for
continuation of trial.