EX-NIMASA DG, AKPOBOLOKEMI: EFCC Uncovers Another Theft Of N40billion

                                Akpobolokemi

A day after he was re-arrested in front of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, has slammed two separate charges on Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and others.

 

Mr. Akpobolokemi’s re-arrest is on the strength of fresh evidence that he allegedly converted the sum of N11.7billion and another N816 million meant for the development of the temporary site of the proposed Nigeria Maritime University, Kurutie, Warri South Local Government area of Delta State, for his personal use.

 

The suspect was said to have obtained a presidential approval of N13billion through the office of the then National Security Adviser to former president Goodluck Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki, for the acquisition and development of a temporary site for the Nigeria Maritime University.

 

In one of the new charges filed before a Federal High Court in Lagos, Mr. Akpobolokemi faces 40 counts of fraud and money laundering to the tune of N34.5billion.

In the second charge filed before a Lagos State High Court, Mr. Akpobolokemi is accused of stealing N600million

 

Earlier Mr. Akpobolokemi and seven other NIMASA staff were arraigned on December 3 before Justice Salihu Sa’idu of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a 30-count charge bordering on conspiracy, fraudulent conversion of funds, and money laundering.

The accused persons allegedly conspired to launder several billions of naira under the guise of providing security intelligence around the maritime domain.

 

Both cases are yet to be assigned even as Akpobolokemi battles to secure his release on bail, pending arraignment in court.