Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo and seven
brothers of former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency
(NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi were on tuesday, arraigned before the Federal
High Court, Lagos, in absentia, on a 22- count of N47.6 billion fraud.
The Akpobolokemis,’ who
were arraigned in absentia with Tompolo were Igo, Julius, Stephen, Victor,
Norbert, Emmanuel and Clement, and one Pondi Ebimorbowei Kestin.
They all were declared as being “now at
large” when the charge was read before Justice Ibrahim Buba.
However, Akpobolokemi, two women – Josephine
Otuaga and Rita Uruakpa and one Kime Engozu, who were also listed as defendants
in the charge, pleaded not guilty.
Also listed as defendants in the charge
charge were six companies namely Mieka Dive Training Institute Ltd/GTE;
Oyeinteke Global Network Limited; Wabod Global Resources Ltd.; Boloboere
Properties Estate Ltd.; Gokaid Marine Oil and Gas Ltd.; Muhaabix Global
Services Ltd and Watershed Associated Resources.
The 22-charge borders on conspiracy, advanced
fee fraud and money laundering.
The offence according to EFCC prosecutors,
Festus Keyamo are contrary to sections 8, 1(b) of Advance Fee Fraud, 18
(a), 15 (1) of Money Laundering Prohibition Amendment Act, 2012, and punishable
under Section 1 (3), 15(3) of the same Act, and 1(2)(c) Miscellaneous Offences
Act, Cap. M17, Laws of the Federation 2004, besides, the offence of the
accused can also be punished under Section 1(2)(c) of the Miscellaneous
Offences Act, Cap. M17, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
The matter has been adjourned till May 30 and
31 for trial.
Meanwhile, Orji Chukuma Aosihiuwu who is an
operative of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), yesterday,
gave graphic account of how the N1, 000, 258, 666. 60 allegedly looted from the
agency were shared.
Aosihiuwu, who is in the Special Taskforce
Unit (STU) of the agency, identified all the defendants and gave account of the
role played by each of them in the N1. 6 billion scam.
He gave account of
how the funds were shared among six companies Seabulk Offshore Operator Ltd-
N437,726,666; Ace Prothesis Ltd- N66,800,000; Extreme Vertex Nig Ltd- N21, 802,
000.00; O2 Services Plus Ltd- N14, 200, 000. 00; Southern Offshore Ltd-
N402,480,000; Caniz Limited- N12,250,000