Ex-NIMASA Boss’ Aides To Testify Against Him Over N754m Fraud

Three aides of the former Director-General of  the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi have agreed to give evidence against him.

The aides, though are co-defendants in the N754.8 million fraud case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have accepted to become prosecution witnesses.

The anti-graft agency had on Monday re-arraign the accused persons and amend the charges in the criminal case before an Ikeja High Court.

Akpobolokemi is facing a N754.8 million fraud trial alongside Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Vincent Udoye, Adegboyega Olopoenia and a company — Gama Marine Nigeria Ltd.

They were all initially facing a 13-count charge of stealing and fraud over alleged theft of N754.8 million belonging to the agency proffered by EFCC.

However, EFCC later brokered a deal with some of the defendants, Nwakuche, Juan and Olopoenia who then turned around to testify for the prosecution, making Akpobolokemi to now face trial alongside Agaba and Udoye, both former Executive Directors of NIMASA.

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The trio face a 12-count charge of conspiracy,  forgery and stealing a N687.2 million.

They have since pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Ekene Nwakuche, Akpobolokemi’s former co-defendant, who is the tenth prosecution witness and a former Personal Assistant to Adaba testified against the embattled maritime boss.

Justice Raliatu Adebiyi adjourned the case until Nov. 30 for continuation of trial.