How ex-NIMASA boss, Akpobolokemi converted N4.5bn to US dollars – Witness

A star witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Adamu Usman Yusuf, Monday told a Federal High Court in Lagos southwest Nigeria how about N4.9 billion was converted into United States dollars by a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi and other accused charged with money laundering.

Akpobolokemi is standing trial alongside a former Commander of the Military Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield in the Niger Delta, Major General Emmanuel Atewe, Kime Engozu and Josephine Otuaga over N13 billion fraud.

Adamu Usman while been led in evidence by EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that during investigation, it was discovered that the money was handed over to the 3rd and 4th accused (Engozu and Otuaga).

Adamu told the trial judge, Saliu Saidu that 'at the end of our investigation, we discovered that about N4.9 billion was converted into United States dollars and the money was handed to the 3rd and 4th accused persons'.

'We also recovered evidence, where the defendants acknowledged the receipt of the money and same was forwarded to forensic audit unit for expert opinion'.

Yusuf told the court that the defendants used different companies and accounts to launder billions of money from Joint Task Force operation account.

The companies are: Jagan Ltd; Jagan Trading Company Ltd; Jagan Global Services Ltd; Al-Nald Ltd; Paper Warehouse Ltd; Eastpoint Integrated Services Ltd and De-New link Integrated Services Ltd.The accused committed the alleged offence of fraud between Sept. 5, 2014 and May 20, 2015.

He said during the investigation, letters of request were sent to GTB bank, Heritage Bank, Diamond Bank, Stanbic IBTC bank, as well as First City Monument Bank (FCMB) demanding for account statements and operating documents of beneficiaries of the accounts.

The witness made a power point presentation to the court to corroborate his evidence.

Before the commencement of trial today, the EFCC in an amended 22-count charge filed before the court alleged that the accused sometime in 2014 in Lagos converted the sum of N8, 537, 586, 798.58 property of NIMASA contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amemdeent) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

They were also alleged to have between September 5, 2014 and May 20, 2015 converted to personal use the sum of N2,006,270,930.67 through Jagan Limited, property of NIMASA.

Some of the counts read: That you, Patrick Ziadeke Akpobolokemi, Major General Emmmanuel Atewe, Josphine Otuaga Kime Enzogu between 5th days of September, 2014 and 22nd May, 2015 in Lagos converted the sum of N1, 147, 723, 362.42 through Jagan Trading Company Limited property of NIMASA contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amended) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

'That you Patrick Ziadeke Akpobolokemi, Major General Emmanuel Atewe ,Josphine Otuaga, and Kime Engozu within the jurisdiction of the court converted the sum of N1, 871, 795, 679. 14 through Eastpoint Integrated Services Limited, property of NIMASA'

The accused were also alleged to have between September 5, 2014 and May 20, 2015 converted to private use the sum of N 2, 006, 270, 930, .63 through Jagan limited, property of NIMASA contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amended) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

In the charge, the anti-graft agency also alleged that the accused conspired to defraud NIMASA of N605, 645, 750.00 million through Paper Warehouse Limited.

When the charge was read to all the accused persons they all pleaded not guilty.

The offence is also said to have contravened the provisions of Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act Cap. C. 38, Laws of the Federation, 2004. - The News.