Ex-Banker Narrates How N1.5bn Was Transferred Under Former NIMASA Boss

At the commencement of trial of the former Director-General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi on Thursday, April 14, a witness revealed that the sum of N1.5 billion was transferred into various companies’ accounts in a bank from NIMASA between August 2014 and October 2015.
The witness, Teslim Ajuwon, who was a compliance officer with a new generation bank, was led in evidence by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s Prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo.
Ajuwon told the Lagos High Court sitting in lgbosere that the EFCC wrote to his bank requesting for various accounts documents of some customers — Vincent Udoye, Liquid Gardens, Committee on Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member’s State Audit Scheme’s account (VIMSAS) and Aroward consulting.
He said on August 29, 2014, a sum of N498.2 million belonging to NIMASA was transferred to Committee of VIMSA’s account, adding that the sum of N318 million was also transferred from NIMASA into the same account on May 20, 2015.
The EFCC witness also stated that on September 15, 2014, there was a transfer of the sum of N8.5 million into the account of Auster Ventures Ltd while another N11.4 million was also transfered into the account of Liquid Garden Ventures Ltd on September 29, 2014.
“There was two outward transfer to Kofa Fada Nigeria Ltd on Oct. 30, the first transfer was N35 million and the second was N61.8 million.
“On Nov. 19, 2014, there was an outward transfer of N4.2 million into the account of Specialty Enterprises West Africa Ltd, also on May 28, 2015, there was an outward transfer of N257 million in favour of Aroward Consulting Ltd,” he said.
Ajuwon however admitted during cross-examination that Akpobolokemi was not a signatory to any of the accounts he mentioned above, while also admitting that some of the accused were not beneficiaries to the transactions listed above.
Akpobolokemi is standing trial on a 13-count charge of theft, including fraudulently diverting of N754.7 belonging to NIMASA into treasury.
He was arraigned by the EFCC alongside Captain Agaba,Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Vincent Udoye, Captain Olopoenia and a company — Gama Marine Nigeria Ltd.