EFCC Withdraws Charges Against Council Boss, Other, Maintain Charges Against NIMASA’s ED

It would be recalled that the Court of Appeal had discharged and acquitted Dr. Akpolobokemi, the former Director-General of NIMASA.
However, the anti-graft agency is still maintaining charges against the second defendant in the charge, Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba, former NIMASA’s Executive Director on Maritime, Safety and Shipping on alleges fraud of N1.7 billion.

Before the amendment of the charge,  Akpobolokemi, Captain Agaba, Amechee and Nwakuche alongside two limited liability companies, Blockz and Stonez Nigeria Limited and Al-Kenzo Nigeria Limited, were facing charges of alleged illegal conversion of public fund to the tune of N2.6 billion.

They were arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Buba led-court on alleged conspiracy, stealing, unlawful conversion and Money laundering to the tune of N2.569, 457, 666. 60 billion.

In the former charge marked FHC/L/511c/15,  EFCC alleged that Akpolobokemi alongside Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba; Ekene Nwakuche and Governor Ameche Juan, had on or about February 4, 2014, did conspire among themselves to commit the act by converting the said sum, property of NIMASA, which was derived from stealing

However, at the resumed hearing of the matter today, counsel to EFCC, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo informed Justice Ibrahim  Buba that the prosecution has filed an amended charge before the court and that the amended charge has been served on the defendants, he therefore  prayed the court to allow the charge be read so that  the defendant could take his plea.

In the amended charge, Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba,  now the only defendant who is alleged to have between December 23, 2013, and March 13, 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of the court converted through Seabulk Offshore Operator Limited the sum of N437,726,666.60. property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency which sum he reasonably ought to have known form part of proceeds of his unlawful activity to wit; criminal breach of trust and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15 (2) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.

Agaba was also alleged to have on or about January 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of the court converted through  Ace Protehesis Limited the sum of N66, 800, 000 property of NIMASA which  sum he reasonably ought to know form part of the proceeds of his unlawful activity to wit: criminal breach of trust and thereby committed and offence contrary to section 15(2) of the money laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.