N754.8M ALLEGED FRAUD: COURTS ADJOURNS TRIAL IF EX-NIMASA DG, AKPOBOLOKEMI

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By ‘Leke Yusuf

Justice R.I.B Adebiyi of the Ikeja High Court Lagos, today adjourned till March 6, 2023 for the adoption of final written addresses in relation to the no-case submissions filed by both Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and Ezekiel Bala Agaba, who are facing trial over an alleged N754.8 million fraud.

Akpobolokemi and Agaba, who are alleged to have defrauded NIMASA, were initially charged alongside Governor Juan, Vincent Udoye, Ekene Nwakuche, Adegboyega Olopoenia and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Ltd., before the charge was amended to involve only both of them.

At today’s sitting, the prosecuting counsel, S.I. Suleiman, informed the court that the prosecution was only on January 23, 2023 served with the final address of the second defendant, with respect to his no-case submission; hence, it would need time to respond to it effectively.

He also informed the court that the first defendant had, in November 2022, served the prosecution with his own no-case submission.

“We’ll need time to effectively address the issues raised therein,” he told the court.

Counsel for the second defendant, E.D. Onyeke, who admitted serving the prosecution with his no-case submission rather late, apologized to the court.

He, however, stated that it was not deliberate.

Counsel for the first defendant, Kunle Gbolahan, also confirmed service to the prosecution.

Both parties, thereafter, agreed to an adjournment in the interest of justice.

Consequently, Justice Adebiyi adjourned till March 6, 2023 for the adoption of final written addresses, with respect to the no-case submissions.