Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) swamped the premises of the Federal High Court in Lagos, yesterday, to re-arrestthe former Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Patrick Akpobolokemi, over fresh allegations of fraud to the tune of N12, 905, 485.
The former DG was arrested shortly after his trial was adjourned by Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos, till 18th January, 2016 for trial, where, alongside five other individuals, he is facing criminal charges to the tune of N2.3 billion.
Akpobolokemi’s arrest was on the strength of fresh evidence that he allegedly converted N11, 737,854,485 and another N816,000,000, meant for the development of the temporary site of the proposed Nigeria Maritime University, Kurutie, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, for his personal use.
He was said to have obtained a presidential approval of N13, 000,000,000 through the office of the then National Security Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Colonel Sambo Dasuki( rtd.) for the acquisition and development of a temporary site for the Nigerian Maritime University.
Akpobolokemi was about to enter his car when the EFCC operatives arrived in a bus to whisk him away to their detention centre where he is being quizzed.
By Ifeoma Oguamanam
