May 9, 2022
The trial of Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and Ezekiel Bala Agaba, before Justice R.I.B. Adebiyi of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos for an alleged N754.8 million fraud continued on Monday
According to the EFCC in a statement on Monday, at the trial the judge upheld the application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to have its next witness who is based in the United States of America testify through electronic means.
The prosecution had, at the last sitting on March 18, 2022, approached the Court with the application.
The prosecuting counsel, Kufre Uduak, told the Court that the witness, one Charles Aroawode Oboh, a Director in Aroward Nigeria Limited, is based in the United States of America.
The counsel for the second defendant, E.D. Onyeke, had opposed the application arguing that “it will be prejudicial, as he is not situated within jurisdiction.”
“We believe his evidence could be manipulated,” Onyeke added, as he prayed the Court to dismiss the application.
However, delivering the ruling today, the Judge dismissed the opposition of the defence as lacking in merit, and granted the prayers of the prosecution.
The case has been adjourned till June 30, 2022 for continuation of trial.
