The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday heard that the presidency, through the ex- National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, approved the transfer of money to some accounts at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
The agency’s Assistant Director, Financial Services Department, Mrs. Olamide Odusanya, said NIMASA opened some accounts without the approval of the Accountant-General of the Federation. She said a former NIMASA Director-General, Patrick Akpobolokemi, approved the transfer of over N1billion into one of the accounts.
According to her, the accounts were opened for the use of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) committee, chaired by NIMASA’s former Executive Director, Maritime Safety and Shipping Development, Capt. Ezekiel Agaba. Odusanya testified before Justice Ibrahim Buba in the trial of Akpobolokemi, Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche and Governor Juan, and Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged them with converting N2,658,957,666 between December 23, 2013 and May 28 last year, to which they pleaded not guilty. Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, the witness said while the Accountant-General’s permission was obtained before NIMASA’s revenue and operational accounts were opened, no such permission was sought or obtained for ISPS’ four accounts.
According to the witness, on June 3, 2013, N60.8million was credited to the committee’s account with Access Bank, and on January 3, 2014, N1,125,400,000 was transferred to the account based on Akpobolokemi’s approval.
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