THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday, arraigned the immediate past Director General (DG) of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Patrick Akpolobokemi before the Federal High Court, Lagos on 30- counts charge bordering on conversion of the sum of N3.700,629 billion
The ex- NIMASA boss was docked before Justice Saliu Saidu along with nine others, Captain Ezekiel Agaba; Ekene Nwakuche; Felix Bob-Nabena; Captain Warredi Enisouh; Governor Amechee Juan; Ugo Frederick and Timi Alari.
Also charged with the accused persons are two limited liability companies –Al-kenzo Limited and Penniel Engineering Services Limited.
In the charge, EFCC alleged that Akpolobokemi and other accused persons had on or before December 20, 2013, con- spired to convert the sum of N3.7bn which was allegedly stolen from NIMASA.
According to the EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, the offence of the accused persons were punishable under Sections 18(a) and 15(1)of the Money Laundering Prohibition (Amendment) Act. 2012, and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
The accused persons plead- ed not guilty to the charge.
Following the plea of the accused persons, Oyedepo urged the court to remand the accused persons in prisons pending the determination of the charge.
However, Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN), counsel to Akpolobokemi and the fourth accused person, Bob-Nabena, urged the court to grant bail to his clients in self-recognition. Nwobike said the accused persons’ bail applications was brought pursuant to Sec- tions 32 (1)(2), 158 and 165 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015; and Section 35 of the 1999 constitution.
He also urged the court not to make an order allowing the EFCC to verify the bail conditions.
Also, the second, third, fifth sixth seventh, eighth ninth and 10 accused persons through their counsel aligned them- selves with the submissions of Dr. Nwobike on their bail applications.
But in response, Oyedepo urged the court to refused the applications.
Ruling on the bail applications, Justice Saidu admitted bail to Akpolobokemi in the sum of N100 million with two sureties in the same sum.
One of the sureties according to the judge must be blood relation to the accused, and must have landed property in Ikoyi, Lekki or Victoria Island. Ac- cording to the court, the second surety must be a director in either Federal or state civil service.
Justice Said also ordered the accused to deposit his International Passport with the court’s Deputy Registrar.
Other accused persons were admitted to bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties each.
One of the sureties according to the judge must be blood relation to the accused, with landed property in Ikoyi, Lekki or Victoria Island of Lagos state. While the second surety must be a di- rector in either Federal or state civil service.
Justice Said also ordered the accused to deposit their international traveling passports with the court’s Deputy Registrar, (DCR). He ordered that the DCR must verify the bail conditions.
The accused persons trial has been adjourned till January 29, 2016.
