The shocking details have been revealed why the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission forcefully effected the re-arrest of Former NIMASA DG yesterday.
ex-NIMASA DG, Patrick Akpobolokemi
The former DG was arrested as he stepped outside the Federal High Court, Lagos where his trial was adjourned by Justice Ibrahim Buba. Akpobolokemi and five other individuals, are facing criminal charges to the tune of N2.3 billion.
According to a reliable source, Akpobolokemi’s arrest was on the strength of fresh evidence that he allegedly converted N11, 737,854,485 and another N816,000,000, meant for the development of the temporary site of the proposed Nigeria Maritime University, Kurutie, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, for his personal use.
According to a
Vanguard report, the suspect was said to have obtained a presidential approval of N13, 000,000,000 through the office of the then National Security Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Colonel Sambo Dasuki( retd) for the acquisition and development of a temporary site for the Nigerian Maritime University.
Of the total approved amount, N11,737,854,485 was allegedly paid into a company suspected to be owned by Chief Government Oweize Ekpemupolo, a.k.a Tompolo. A source in EFCC revealed that after the said money was paid, the DG directed that the sum of N6, 000,000,000 to be moved into another account belonging to one of the associates of the indicted DG.
Also, the sum of N816, 000,000, allegedly obtained through a presidential approval for the Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Members State Audit (VIMSAS) implementation in Nigeria, was diverted to Akpobolokemi’s personal use.
From the courtroom, the operatives moved the former DG to their detention centre where he is being quizzed and is still in detention.
However, tongues have been wagging as to the method the agency whisked the man away. He was practically bundled into the waiting car as he stepped out of the court premises.
Many have condemned the act as very undemocratic and against the tenets obtainable in a democratic dispensation. The act has been described by some as a slap on Nigeria's democracy and the due process being preached by the Buhari-led administration.