'How NIMASA Officials Transferred N100m to BDC Daily'

'How NIMASA Officials Transferred N100m to BDC Daily'

A manager with a new generation bank and prosecution witness (PW 10) in ongoing trial of ex-Director General of  the Nigerian Maritime Safety and Administration Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Patrick Ziadeke Akpolobokemi and six others, Rita Ifeadi, has given account of how she struck deal with accused. 

She also told the court yesterday how her bank transferred over N100 millions in a day to a Bureau de Change (BDC).

Akpobolokemi was docked before Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The former NIMASA boss was arraigned along side Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, and three companies, namely: Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited, on a 22-count charge.

The witness, a branch manager of the bank at Bar Beach, Lagos, led in evidence by EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, identified all the accused and some companies indicted in the alleged theft, narrated how she developed relationship with them in the course of performing her official duty.

The banker who claimed to have 18 years experience in banking, said it was her official effort to get new customer for the bank that took  her to office of the accused to solicit for their patronage. 

She said, she visited all the necessary departments in the agency and also had audience with one of the accused, Captain  Agaba who promised to be of help. 

Ifeadi told the court that she was later called by Captain Agaba for business, it was then the account for International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) committee was open. 

Speaking further, the witness said after opening  account for the ISPS committee, there was inflow of monies to account from NIMASA.

Adding that apart from ISPS committee account she opened through the assistance of Captain Agaba, she also opened another account for a company: Arrow World Consulting Ltd which was possible through the assistance of Captain Agaba and Ekene Nwakuche.

The witness told the court that after opening the company’s account, there were also inflow of money into the account from NIMASA.

However, Ifeadi said  the accused were not signatories to Arrow World Consulting Ltd’s account but one of them, Ekene Nwakuche, was the one operating it, by withdrawing monies and also transferring fund in it to others.