The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned a former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General, Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, for alleged N22.7billion fraud.
He was charged along with a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), before Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos in Lagos.
However, Tompolo was absent in court on Monday.
He was also absent when his co-accused persons were earlier arraigned on alleged N34billion fraud in a separate charge.
Those arraigned on Monday included Akpobolokemi, Kime Engozu, Josephine Otuaga, Rita Uruakpa, Mieka Dive Training Institute Ltd/GTE, Oyeinteke Global Network Limited and Wabod Global Resources Limited.
Others were Boloboere Properties Estate Ltd, Gokaid Marine Oil and Gas Ltd, Muhaabix Global Services Ltd and Watershed Associated Resources.
The charge borders on stealing, advanced fee fraud and money laundering involving about N22.7billion.
Also named in the charge were Akpobolokemi four brothers – Victor, Nobert, Emmanuel and Clement – said to be at large. They were said to have aided the suspects to commit the fraud.
The defendants were accused of converting various sums running into over N22.7billion stolen from NIMASA to their personal use between December 12, 2014 and April 10, 2015.
Justice Buba had on February 8 directed security agencies to arrest Tompolo and held that the warrant of arrest issued for his arrest still subsists.
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