Former NIMASA boss approved ‘looted’ funds, witness insists

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, Mrs. Olamide Odusanya on Thursday insisted that a former Director-General (D-G) of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, approved the payment of N498,200,000 and N318,000,000 part of which were allegedly looted.

Odusanya, an Assistant Director in the Financial Services Department of NIMASA, testified before Justice Raliat Adebiyi that the N498,200,000 and N318,000,000 were not retired by the former D-G.

The witness affirmed that the N498.2m was approved in 2014 for the implementation of the Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS) project by NIMASA.

In Charge No. LD/2181C/15, Akpobolokemi and six others are alleged to have diverted N754,740,680 meant for the implementation of Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit Scheme at NIMASA.

The others are Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Amechee Juan, Vincent Udoye, Captain Adegboyega Sahib Olopoenia and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Limited.

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Led in examination in chief by prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, Odusanya stated that by a letter written to the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) dated April 15, 2015, Akpobolokemi obtained approval for the N498.2m from the President.

She affirmed that the process was repeated for the N318m and that both funds were released “in preparation for the implementation of the VIMSAS project.”

However, under cross examination by first defendant’s counsel, Dr. Joseph Nwobike, the witness admitted that she was not a member of VIMSAS Committee and was neither aware of how it negotiated with contractors nor the process leading to payments made by the Committee.

Odusanya stated that, on the face of documents presented to her, the first defendant, Akpobolokemi, acted “in lawful exercise of his duties as Chief Accounting Officer” when he directed the second defendant, Captain Agaba, to disburse the funds.

She further admitted under questioning by Agaba’s counsel, E.D. Onyeke, that the NIMASA Financial Services Department received a memo written to clarify that the expenditure of N498.2m and N318m “were security related and did not require retiring.”

Odutola added that she could not tell if the projects for which the funds were approved were implemented.

Justice Adebiyi adjourned till Friday for continuation of trial.

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