As the trial of former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpolobokemi continued, a fashion designer, Chukwuemeka Benjamin Onuoha yesterday told a Federal High Court in Lagos how his company, Extreme Vertevex Limited was used to siphon the sum of N546.8 million from the agency for a contract not awarded to him. The fashion designer was the second witness to testify against the former NIMASA boss and others accused of converting N2.6 billion belonging to NIMASA.
Akpolobokemi is currently being trial by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) before Justice Ibrahim Buba.
He was arraigned along with three others, namely Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan and three companies, Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited.
In a 22-count charge by EFCC, they were accused of converting a total of N2,658,957,666 between December 23, 2013 and May 28, 2015.
At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, the witness who was led into evidence by EFCC counsel,Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that the money was paid into his Zenith Bank account though he did not tender any proposal or carried out any contract for the agency.
Onuoha also told the court that the disbursement of the money was facilitated by the third defendant (Ekene Nwakuche) who was his secondary school mate.
The witness who gave details of how he received the money stated that sometime in 2003 when the third defendant secured employment with NIMASA, he (Onuoha) approached him and pleaded with him to remember him if there was any contract he could implement.
According to him, shortly after he made the request, the third defendant called him on phone to enquire if he had any registered company that could be used for transactions as well as the company’s accounts.
Onuoha told the court that not long after he supplied the details of his company and his bank account to the third defendant, he received several alerts from his bank totaling N546.8 million.
Justice Buba adjourned further hearing in the matter till February 2, 5, 16 and 19 respectively.
