The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) allegedly awarded a contract to a businessman, Uche Emenalo, for the provision of security-related services even though he has no experience in security matters, the Federal High Court in Lagos heard yesterday.
Testifying in the trial of a former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General, Patrick Akpobolokemi, Emenalo said he did not bid for the contract.
According to him, he never submitted any applications to any tenders board for the job
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Akpobolokemi with converting N2.6billion and defrauding the Federal Government of N795.2million.
He was arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Buba along with Capt. Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited.
In the 22-count charge, they were accused of converting N2,658,957,666 between December 23, 2013 and May 28 last year. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Emenalo said he got N600, 000 out of the money, which he used for “logistics”, including travelling from Owerri, Imo State capital, to Lagos.
Led in evidence by EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, the witness said he got the contract through Nwakuche, who was his classmate at the university.
According to him, when he first heard that his friend had secured a job at NIMASA, he told him to remember him whenever there was a job to be executed.
Emenalo said in 2014, Nwakuche called and asked him to send his company’s name and account details.
The witness said since he had no registered company, he forwarded details of his brother’s agro-allied services company, O2 Services Plus Limited, to Nwakuche.
Emenalo said Nwakuche informed him that the contract was security-related, following which funds were paid into its account.
He said Nwakuche asked him to wait for further directives on how the money would be disbursed.
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