In a somewhat commando style, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday rearrested former Director- General of Nigerian Maritime Administration Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Patrick Akpolobokemi, within the premises of the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The former NIMASA boss, who is facing about three different criminal trials, was bundled into a waiting Toyota Hiace bus by armed EFCC operatives numbering about 10, immediately after stepping out of court.
Operatives of the antigraft agency pounced on the former NIMASA DG while coming out of the court following adjournment of his trial over alleged theft of N2.6bn by Justice Ibrahim Buba till January 18, 2016.
Akpobolokemi was about to enter his car outside the court when he was accosted by two EFCC operatives and two armed mobile policemen.
Thereafter, the encounter degenerated into a scuffle with the armed policemen calling for reinforcement. He was manhandled and forced into the bus after he resisted and vowed not to follow the detectives to their office.
Efforts by his team of lawyers led by Dr. Joseph Nwobike, SAN, to stop his re-arrest were rebuffed by the armed detectives.
The EFCC has not given reasons for re-arresting him, though he had met the initial bail conditions imposed by the court.
Those charged alongside Akpolobokemi include Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba; Ekene Nwakuche; Governor Amechee Juan; Blockz and Stonez Nigeria Limited and Al-Kenzo Nigeria Limited.
They are charged on 22 counts of alleged theft of N2.6bn before the court. The accused persons in a charge marked FHC/ L/511c/15, were alleged to have on or about February 4, 2014, conspired among themselves to commit the act by converting the said sum, property of NIMASA, which was derived from stealing.
They were also alleged to have with intent to defraud, conspired among themselves by inducing the federal government of Nigeria to approve and deliver the said sum, under the false pretence that the said sum represented the cost for the implementation of the International Ship and Ports Security, ISPS Code in Nigeria ports.
The alleged offences according to the anti-graft agency prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, are contrary to sections 15(1), 18(a) 8(a), 1(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012, and punishable under section 15(3) and 1(3) of the same Act.
In another criminal charge by EFCC, Akpolobokemi and nine others were last Thursday arraigned before Justice Saliu Saidu of the same court on a 30 count-charge of alleged theft of N3.4 billion.
Those charged alongside the former NIMASA boss before Justice Saliu Saidu led court are Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba; Ekene Nwakuche; Felix Bob-Nabena; Captain Warredi Enisouh; Governor Amechee Juan; Ugo Frederick and Timi Alari Al-kenzo Limited and Penniel Engineering Services Limited.
Though, they all pleaded not guilty to the charges and admitted to different bail conditions, the court ordered that they all be remanded in prison custody pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, while it adjourned the case till January 29, 2016 for trial
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