NIMASA Paid My Company N905.8m For Contract We Did Not Execute

             

A Prosecution witness, a Lawyer and a Businessman Uche Obilor told a Lagos High Court that NIMASA paid his company N905.8m for a contract that was not carried out.
He said non of his three companies, place a bid for a contract with the agency,but, Seabulk Offshore Limited, Southern Offshore Limited and Ace Prothesis Limited got N905.8m from the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.NIMASA.

The testimony was on the trial of Patrick Akpobolokemi Ex DG NIMASA,who is accused of allegedly converting N2.6bn agency fund to his own.He was arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Buba along with three others – Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan – and three companies – Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited.


In his evidence,Obilor disclosed that the sum of N437million was paid to Ace Prosthesis Limited, while N402 million was paid to Seabulk Offshore Limited and N66.8 million was paid to Southern Offshore Limited respectively.

Obilor told that court that he was approached by Captain Ezekiel Agaba (2nd defendants) that his companies that he has been awarded a contract to assist NIMASA meet the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code for 2014. that shortly after the money was paid, he was told by the second defendant to stay execution on the contract.

He also disclosed that the second defendant later directed him to transfer the money into different accounts until N54 million was left in the accounts.

Under cross examination, by Dr. Joseph Nwobike 9SAN) lawyer to Akpobolokemi (first defendant) Obilor told the court that he held several meetings with the second defendants adding that the remaining  N54 million left in the account had been transferred to the coffers Federal Government.

He also admitted that he did not have any discussions with the Akpobolokemi neither did he receive any instruction from him.

 When asked by lawyer to the 2nd defendant Mr. E G Onyeka whether he (Obilor) was aware that two of his staff issued and signed several invoices to NIMASA

 he said, ‘’I am on top of the whole exercise and I am unaware that they signed any document’’.

 Obilor also admitted that during the meetings he had with the second defendant, a list of job schedule was brought to his attention some of which his company lacked capacity to carry out.

Justice Buba has adjourned further hearing in the matter till February 5, 16 and 19 respectively.