BREAKING NEWS, Judiciary
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THE trial of Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former director general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, was stalled on Monday, January 9, because of the absence of Orji Kalu, a prosecution witness.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, investigator was said to have travelled to the United Kingdom with Ibrahim Magu, the commission’s acting chairman, for a meeting with the National Crime Agency, NCA.
The trial was slated for January 9 to 13 for the defence counsel to cross-examine Orji, who is the 11th and last prosecution witness.
Marcel Umeh, prosecution counsel, said he got to know about Orji’s travel out of the country late.
Consequently, Justice Ibrahim Buba, trial judge, adjourned the matter to February 28.
Buba told the court: “I am 59 years old today (Monday) and I am here in court prepared to go on with the matter hoping we would make progress. If I had this idea that the court will not sit then I wouldn’t have bothered. This is the only case listed in my diary for the week and I came here with the hope that there would be a remarkable progress,” the judge said.
Akpobolokemi was accused of converting N2.6billion from the NIMASA. He was also accused of defrauding the Federal Government to the tune of N795.2million.
He was arraigned along with Ezekiel Agaba, a captain, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan – and three companies, namely Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
— Jan 9, 2017 @ 19:10 GMT
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