A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has acquitted and discharged Patrick Akpobolokemi, the former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), of an alleged N8.5 billion fraud case. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had brought the case against Akpobolokemi and three other defendants.
Justice Ayokunle Faji's ruling followed a no-case submission filed by Akpobolokemi and the other defendants against the 22-count charge. The court acquitted Akpobolokemi and Josephine Otuaga, a NIMASA staff, stating that the EFCC failed to establish a prima facie case against them. However, the judge ruled that Major-General Emmanuel Atewe (retd.) and Kime Engonzu must defend themselves against counts 12 to 22 of the charge.
In his defense, Akpobolokemi argued that the prosecution had not linked him to the alleged crimes despite presenting witnesses and evidence. The defendants were accused of conspiracy, conversion, and stealing (by fraudulent conversion) of funds belonging to NIMASA.
Despite pleading not guilty, the defendants filed a no-case submission after the prosecution's case. Justice Faji noted that none of the witnesses linked Akpobolokemi and Otuaga to the offenses. He emphasized that the prosecution failed to establish credible evidence against Akpobolokemi in the first 11 counts, leading to his acquittal.
