A prosecution witness, Mr Emeka Emelano,
Tuesday told the Federal High Court in Lagos
that he did not ask why the Nigerian Maritime
Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)
paid his company N72million even though it
did not bid for any contract.
He claimed he also did not benefit from the
payments, as he transferred the money to
‘others’ accounts as he was instructed.
Emenalo, sole proprietor of O2 Services Plus
Nig. Ltd, had earlier testified during the
ongoing trial of a former NIMASA Director-
General Patrick Akpobolokemi that he was paid
the sum for no contract.
The Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) charged Akpobolokemi
with converting N2.6billion and defrauding the
Federal Government to the tune of
N795.2million.
He was arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Buba
along with Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene
Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Blockz and Stonz
Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-Kenzo
Logistic Limited.
In the 22-count charge, they were accused of
converting N2,658,957,666 between December
23, 2013 and May 28 last year. The
defendants pleaded not guilty.
The witness had testified that his company,
which provides agro-allied services, got the
money after his younger brother, Uche
Emelano, sought to use his company to obtain
a phantom contract from NIMASA.
He said his brother informed him that
Nwakuche would facilitate the deal. According
to the witness, his brother instructed him to
transfer any money paid into his company’s
account to other accounts as soon as he is
alerted.
Emenalo said when he began to receive alerts,
he informed his brother, who in turn informed
the third accused.
During cross-examination Tuesday, Emenalo
said he did not ask NIMASA why the money
was paid into his account.
“I only called my brother Uche to notify him
that NIMASA had paid the money into my
account,” Emenalo said.
The witness said he made several withdrawals
from the account, explaining there were other
inflows during the period.
For instance, he said he transferred N700,000
to his sister Ijeoma, but denied personally
benefiting from the deposits.
“No, the money is not meant for our family
business. I only gave my sister Ijeoma some
of it,” Emenalo said.
The witness said he was only doing his brother
a favour when he agreed to allow his
company’s account to be used for the
payment from NIMASA.
The witness added that he was also unaware
of the nature of the contract. “I did not benefit
anything from these monies paid,” he said.
“I only requested that the sum of N300,000 be
left in the account to offset bank transfer
charges,” Emenalo said.
Trial continues on Friday.
www.thenationonlineng.net/i-didnt-know-why-nimasa-paid-my-company-n72m/

You don't know abi? N u can't talk when d money came in shebi?

you never Chi chom chin.

Don't worry, when d time of judgement is delivered u will kn why d money was paid to ur account. Stop pretending and get ready for ur new abode in prison soon

The only wahala now be say these goats go don chop the yam go far by now...best thing, jail them the amount of years at par with every Naira gotten. Simple!

Did you raise alarm when you got the alert? If yes, forgive him otherwise let him be In for it.
As the court pleases

Stop lying Emeka Emelano .I cant but thank God for Baba Daura,my vote is not in vain .

My brother don't worry yourself of what you don't know. Only be worried of your how your sister and associates will bring back the loan as it's time for payback.

NIMASA incase you need more account numbers, here's mine- 2017225814 Zenith Bank Chino Jeffrey.

You will all vomit nigerian's money.

Before u don't know but now you know