Trail of a former Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi has been adjourned till Friday, March 24, 2023 for adoption of final written addresses in relation to their no-case submissions on Monday.
Akpobolokemi and Ezekiel Bala Agaba are standing trial over alledged N754.8 million fraud, before Justice Raliat Adebiyi of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja.
The defendants who are alleged to have defrauded NIMASA, were initially charged alongside Governor Juan, Vincent Udoye, Ekene Nwakuche, Adegboyega Olopoenia and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Limited before the charge was amended to involve only both of them.
During today’s, proceeding, the prosecuting counsel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that the prosecution has done its part by responding to the final written address of the defence and that the response had been served on the defence.
“We served them on the 25th of February 2023, but they informed me that they will need time to respond, the learned silk said.
The prosecution informed the court that both parties had also met and had agreed for adjournment.
Both counsel for Akpobolokemi, the first defendant, W.O. Busari and for the second defendant, Edoka Onyeke, respectively confirmed the position.
The trial judge, Justice Adebiyi thereafter adjourned for the adoption of final written addresses, with respect to the no-case submissions till March 24, 2023.
