N754. 7m theft: Access Bank Bank Official Testifies Against Ex-NiMASA DG, Apobolokemi and Six Others

Apobolokemi

A Compliance Officer with Access Bank Plc, Mr.

Oliver Ewerem, today, testified before an

Igbosere High Court of Lagos State, in the on

going trial of the embattled Ex- Director General

of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety

Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Patrick Ziadeke

Apobolokemi, and six others of how the sum of N

60 million was withdrawn from the account of

Gama Marine Limited, a contractor with the

agency.

Ewerem, a prosecution witness of the Economic

and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), gave

the vivid transaction of the said sum while being

led in evidence by the counsel to the anti- graft

agency, Mr. I. A Muhammed.

Ewerem said that the money was withdrawn in

three tranches from Gama Marine Limited's

account with the bank in favour of the fifth

defendant, Vincent Udoye.

Akpobolokemi, is being tried alongside six others

over alleged theft of N754.7 million, belonging to

NIMASA.

The other defendants who were charged alongside

Akpobolokemi are Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene

Nwakuche, Governor Amechee Juan, Vincent

Udoye, Captain Adegboyega Sahib Olopoenia and a

company, Gama Marine Nigeria Limited.

They are standing trial on a 13-count charge

bordering on stealing and forgery, preferred

against them by Anti- graft agency.

Ewerem who was the second prosecution witness

to testify before Justice Raliat Adebiyi led-court

said that on February 2, 2015, there was a credit

of N67.450 million paid into Gama Marine

Limited's account by committee of Maritime.

He also said that on February 2, 2015, there was

a credit of N28 million and on same day the sum

of N39.450 million was also paid into Gama

Marine Limited company.

The witness also testified that between February

10 and 11 2015, there was a withdrawal of N60

million from Gama Marine, which was paid in

favour of Vincent Udoye, adding that the money

was withdrew in three tranches.

During cross examination by counsels to the

defendant led by Dr. Joseph Nwobike, the Access

Bank Compliance Officer admitted that the first,

second, third, fourth, sixth and seventh

defendants were not beneficiary in the payment

and receive of the money.

However, the case was adjourned till today, for

continuation of trial.