— Ex-NIMASA Boss, Patrick Akpobolokemi has been arraigned over fraud and forgery.

— Six other people have been linked to the fraud and charged likewise.

— Over N700 million has been misappropriated.

Former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi was arraigned alongside six others on Monday, January 25.

The seven were made to appear before a Lagos High Court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on charges bordering on fraud and forgery to the tune of N754.8 million.

Akpobolokemi was arraigned along with Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Amechee Juan, Vincent Udoye, Captain Adegboyega Olopoenia and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Ltd.

NAN reports that In the charge, the accused persons were alleged to have between Oct. 30, 2014 and May 6, 2015, converted more than N300 million belonging to NIMASA to their personal use.

The funds were allegedly released to them for the implementation of Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS).

They were also alleged to have converted, to their use, the sum of over N257 million also money released for the VIMSAS scheme.

The defendants were also alleged to have knowingly forged a document titled “Re: Request For Payment as consultant for VIMSAS Administration Services,” dated May 25, 2015 purported to have been issued by Aroward Consulting Ltd.

The offences were said to have contravened the provisions of Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State, 2011

However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. Justice Raliat Adebiyi granted the first to fifth accused persons N20 million bail each, with two sureties each in like sum, following an application for bail, moved by defence counsel, Mr Joseph Nwobike (SAN).

Raliat granted the sixth and seventh accused persons bail in the sum of N2 million each with two sureties each in like sum, adding that the sureties must depose to an affidavit of means and fixed on Wednesday, February 24 for trial.

It would be recalled that one Chukwuemeka Benjamin Onuoha, told a federal high court about how his account was credited with N546.8million by an official of NIMASA. The prosecution witness who is a fashion designer, made the shocking revelation during the theft trial of Patrick Akpobolokemi.