NIMASA: How Akpobolokemi authorised disbursement of agency’s funds

A Lagos High Court, Igbosere, on Wednesday, heard how former Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Safety and Administration Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, authorised the agency’s account to be credited with N498,200,000 from where it was disbursed to some of the defendants.

An Assistant Director of Nigerian Maritime Safety and Administration Agency (NIMASA), Mrs. Olamide Odusanya, on Wednesday testified in the ongoing trial against Akpobolokemi and six others.

Odusanya, an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness maintained that no financial transactions could be made without Akpobolokemi’s approval.

She added that that Akpolobokemi was an ‘A’ signatory to NIMASA’s two bank accounts, one of which was with Access Bank.

Standing trial with Akpolobokemi on Charge No. LD/2181C/15, are Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Vincent Udoye, Adegboyega Olopoenia and Gama Marine Nigeria Limited.

They were arraigned on January 25, 2016, but pleaded not guilty to the 13 counts pressed against them.

Led in examination in chief by prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, on Wednesday, Odusanya stated that she was a ‘B’ signatory to two accounts owned by NIMASA’s Committee of Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS).

But that “The accounting officer of NIMASA is the CEO, that is, the D-G. Payment instructions were also approved by the D-G.”