An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, Mrs. Olamide Odusanya, yesterday testified that the former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, approved a payment of N498, 200,000, which was then disbursed into various accounts.
Odusanya, a NIMASA Assistant Director in the Financial Services Department, testified before Justice Raliat Adebiyi in a N754,740,680 fraud case brought against Akpobolokemi and six others by the EFCC.
Other defendants are – Capt. Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Amechee Juan, Vincent Udoye, Captain Adegboyega Sahib Olopoenia and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Limited.
The EFCC alleged that the defendants diverted N754.7million meant for the implementation of Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit Scheme at NIMASA.
Odusanya, who was cross-examined by the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, said requests for money to be spent by NIMASA were routed to the President through the Office of the National Security Adviser.
She added that Akpobolokemi was the agency’s Chief Accounting Officer and no financial transactions took place without his approval.
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