A Federal High Court in Lagos State, on Monday, heard how part of the N2.6 billion allegedly stolen by a former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) boss, Patrick Akpobolokemi, was distributed.
It would be recalled that Akpobolokemi was also accused of defrauding the Federal Government to the tune of N795.2 million.
Akpobolokemi was arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Buba along with three others – Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan-–and three companies, namely Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited.
In a 22-count charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), they were accused of converting a total of N2,658,957,666 between December 23, 2013 and May 28, 2015.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
EFCC, which opened trial on Monday, called its first witness, Teslim Ajuwon, who is the Compliance Officer at Zenith Bank.
He said he was responsible for enquiries from regulatory agencies such as the EFCC, the police, NDLEA, among others.
He said he received enquiries from EFCC for a report of activities on some accounts, including Aruwo Consulting Limited, Extreme Vertex Limited, Southern Options Limited, Green Lemon Services and Committee on ISPS.
He said the bank received a request to produce account opening package of the companies as well as their financial statements.
The witness said the fourth defendant, Governor Juan, was paid N11 million on September 9, 2014, while Kenzo Logistics, also a defendant, got N10 million the same day.
For the Committee on ISPS account, there was an inflow of N14.2 million on June 17, 2014 from Access Bank; N21.2 million on March 5, 2015; N16 million on May 5, 2015; and N21.2 million on June 18, 2015.
He said the money was later disbursed, leaving only N1.4 million as balance on June 18, 2015.
Ajuwon said N10 million was transfered to Uchenna Emenalo on June 19; while another N11 million was transfered to him the same day.
He said on August 29, 2014, there was a a credit of N795.2 million into the ISPS account from NIMASA.
The witness said it was followed by several payments amounting to N27 million to Ekene Nwauche between September 16 and November 18, 2014.
According to him, N318 million was paid to Extreme Bracket on November 6, 2014, while Avant Guard Security Services got N94million. Several other companies also received payments.
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