The trial of the former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration & Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi, continued on Friday with a fifth prosecution witness, Mr Emeka Emelano, giving his testimony.
Mr Emelano, who introduced himself as the sole proprietor of an agro allied company, O2 Services Plus Nigeria Limited, told a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos that his company was used as a channel to obtain about 72 million naira from the NIMASA.
Mr Akpobolokemi and six others are standing trial on a 22-count charge bordering on allegations of conversion and fraud to the tune of 2.6 billion Naira.
In his testimony, Mr Emelano told the court that in 2015, his younger brother, one Uche Emelano, used the company to elicit a contract from NIMASA.
The contract was to be obtained through the third accused person, Ekene Nwakuche, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Al Kenzo Logistics Limited, one of the companies also charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The witness said he was not aware of the nature of the contract neither did his company execute any contract for NIMASA.
Acting on the instructions of the third accused person, the witness said his brother directed him to transfer certain sums of money paid to the company’s bank account to other bank accounts with beneficiaries named as Blocks & Stonez Limited and Governor Juan, the 6th accused person.
About 72 million Naira was allegedly disbursed from the account between March and June 2015.
The witness, however, testified that he did not benefit from the funds except for a hundred thousand Naira which he used to offset his transportation.
After hearing the witness’ testimony, Justice Ibrahim Buba adjourned the case until February 16 for continuation of cross examination of the witness.