N1.5b transferred from NIMASA to various accounts, witness tells court

A Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere was yesterday told how N1.5 billion belonging to the Nigerian Maritime Administration Safety Agency (NIMASA) was allegedly laundered in accounts of various companies.

Prosecution witness, Teslim Ajuwon, was testifying before Justice Raliat Adebiyi in the money laundering suit instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the agency’s former DG, Patrick Akpobolokemi, Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Amechee Juan, Vincent Udoye, Captain Adegboyega Sahib Olopoenia and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Limited.

The 1st to 5th defendants were alleged to have between October 30, 2014 and May 6, 2015 converted to personal use N346,844,680.00 of agency’s property released for the implementation of the Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS).

They are standing trial on a 13-count charge bordering on stealing and forgery.

A Compliance Officer with a new generation banks, Ajuwon told the court that on 29 of August 29, 2014, there was a transfer of N498.2 million into the account of Committee on VIMSAS.

He further stated that on May 20, 2015, N318 million was also transferred from NIMASA into same account.

The witness, who was led in evidence by the EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, stated that ‎on September 15, 2014, there was a transfer of N8.5 million into the account of Auster Ventures.