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How N11b was transferred from NIMASA account, witness tells court

By Godwin Dunia
27 May 2016   |   3:46 am
Chukwuma, who was led in evidence by the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that in 2015, the commission received intelligence reports of “A monumental fraud perpetrated in NIMASA.”
Patrick Akpobolokemi

Patrick Akpobolokemi

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, Orji Chukwuma yesterday told a Lagos High Court in Igbosere how N11 billion was allegedly transferred from Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), into an account operated by a staff of Niger Delta University (NDU), John Simon Adomene.

Chukwuma, the third prosecution witness to testify before Justice Raliat Adebiyi, also told the court that, Adomene laundered the money on behalf of the former Director-General (DG) of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi.

Chukwuma, who was led in evidence by the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that in 2015, the commission received intelligence reports of “A monumental fraud perpetrated in NIMASA.”

“And in the course of the investigation, it was revealed that one John Simon Adomene, a staff of Niger Delta University was used by the then DG of NIMASA, Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi to perpetrate this fraud.”

“Subsequently, efforts were made to trace accounts linked to John Adomene and companies linked with him,” he said.

Chukwuma listed the companies to include Wabod, Global Resources Ltd, Gokiad Marine Services, Boloberi Properties and Estate Ltd.

“We traced billions of naira in accounts and properties to these companies, which were merely fronts for Dr. Akpobolokemi,” he stated.

He testified further that the anti-graft agency obtained two high court orders freezing the accounts but that the orders were set aside at the Federal High Court via an order dated October 30, 2015.

“There was N200 million in Adomene’s account with Boloberi, but because of the order the N200m was taken.

“On November 12, 2015, N100m and N5m were transferred to Sterling Law Alliance. This was after the Federal High Court order was delivered,” Chukwuma said.

He added that the total sum transferred to Boloberi Properties and Estate Ltd. was N3, 836,292,794.68 while Gokiad Marine Services had a total credit of N7, 480,002,754.61 both totalling N11, 316,295,549.29.

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