NIMASA paid me N93m without contract – Witness

                                                               

A Bureau-de-Change operator, Wakili Daudu Monday told a Lagos High Court in Igbosere that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) paid N93,394,680 into his account without him bidding for a contract.

Daudu, the fifth prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former NIMASA Director-General, Patrick Akpobolokemi and six others, said the money was transferred in two tranches of N35, 688,000 and N61, 394,680.

Speaking through an interpreter, Daudu said: “I don’t know anybody in NIMASA and I have never bidded for any contract in NIMASA, but millions of naira was paid into my account.”

Akpobolokemi was arraigned by the EFCC alongside Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Amechee Juan, Vincent Udoye, Captain Adegboyega Sahib Olopoenia and a company, Gama Maine Nigeria Limited.

The first to fifth defendants (Akpobolokemi, Captain Agaba, Nwakuche, Jun, Udoye) are alleged to have between October 30, 2014 and May 6, 2015 converted to their personal use N346, 844,680.00 property of NIMASA meant for the implementation of Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS).

They are standing trial on a 13-count charge of stealing and forgery, preferred against them by EFCC.

The witness testified before Justice Raliat Adebiyi that he was contacted by one Mohammed Darlington that his boss, Captain Ezekiel Agaba, wanted to convert some money to dollars.

Led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, Daudu stated that on October 30, 2014 the sum of N35, 688,000 was paid into his account by Darlington, who claimed to be working for the second defendant.

Later the same day, the sum of N61, 394,680 was also transferred into his account, he added.
He further testified that the money was changed into dollars and handed over to Darlington.
The matter has been adjourned till today for continuation of trial.