NIMASA: Witness Reveals How N93.3m was Transferred to His Account Without Contract

A Bureau De Change operator, Wakili Dauda, monday told a Lagos High Court the role he played in the N754,740,680 theft charges filed against the former Director-General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Apobolokeme and six others.

Dauda who is the fifth prosecution witness, said in one transaction with the 5th defendant, he changed the sum of N93,394,680 million to dollars for him.

He disclosed that the money was allegedly paid into his account by the agency without him bidding for contract.
Akpobolokemi was arraigned alongside Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Goveror Amechee Jun, Vincent Udoye, Captain Adegboyega Sahib Olopoeni ad a compay, Gama Maine Nigeria Limited.

The 1st to 5th defendants (Akpobolokemi, Captain Agaba, Nwakuche, Jun, Udoye) were alleged to have between Octobe 30, 2014 ad May 6, 2015 converted to their personl use N346,844,680.00 property of NIMASA released to them for the implementation of Voluntay Interation Maitime Orgasation Membe State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS).

They are standing trial on a 13-count bordering on stealing ad forgery, preferred against them by EFCC.
The witness who testified before Justice Raliat Adebiyi said he came in contact with the agency through one Mohammed Darlington who collected his account number and told him that his customer, Captain Ezekiel Agaba (2nd defendant) wanted to change some money into dollars

The witness who was led in evidence by the EFCC’s counsel Rotimi Oyedepo stated that on October 30, 2014 the sum of N35, 688,000 million was paid into his account by one Muhammed Darlington who claimed to be working for the second defendant.

He further stated that on the same day the sum of N61,394,680 was also paid into his account.
He said the money was changed into dollars and handed over to Darlington.

Daudu who spoke through an interpreter stated: “I don’t know anybody in NIMASA and I have never bid for any contract in NIMASA but million of naira was paid into my account.”
“He (Darlington) came to my office and demanded for my account details. He said his customer would like to change some millions into dollars.”

Meanwhile the matter has been adjourned till today for continuation of trial