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| Akpobolokemi |
A Lagos High Court sitting in
Igbosere has dismissed an application by a former Director -General of the
Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Mr. Patrick
Akpobolokemi challenging its jurisdiction to entertain his trial.
Akpobolokemi, is standing
trial, alongside five others, on a 13- count charge bordering on conspiracy,
stealing and fraudulent conversion of funds to the tune of N687, 294, 680 (Six
Hundred and Eighty Seven Million, Two Hundred and Ninety Four Thousand, Six
Hundred and Eighty Naira).
His co-accused persons are: Captain Ezekiel Bala
Agaba; Ekene Nwakuche; Governor Amechee Juan; Vincent Udoye, Captain Ade Sahib
Olopoenia and Gama Marine Nigeria Limited.
At the resumed hearing of the
matter on Monday, Justice R.I.B Adebiyi threw out Akpobolokemi’s suit
challenging the jurisdiction of the court, stressing that the application
lacked merit.
“This court finds preliminary
objections raised by 1st and 4th defendants/ applicants to lack merit, both
preliminary objections are accordingly dismissed”, he said.
Counsel to Akpobolokemi, Joseph
Nwobike, SAN, while arguing against the jurisdiction of the court to try his
client, hinged his objection on the fact that, “only the Federal High Court has
exclusive jurisdiction over matters and cases arising from, pertaining to, or
connected with the revenue of the Federal Government of Nigeria and its
agencies”.
He was joined by counsel to the
fourth defendant, A. Ige Asemudara who also brought an application for
preliminary objection before the court. All the applications have now been
dismissed by the court.