‘N8.5bn fraud’ lands serving army general in EFCC custody

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Emmanuel Atewe, a serving army general, before a federal high court, Lagos, on an 11-count charge of conspiracy, abuse of office and money laundering.

According to Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC spokesman, Atewe, who was a former commander of guards brigade and ex-commander of the joint military task force (Operation Pulo Shield), was charged alongside Ziakedi Akpobolokemi, a former director general of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NMASA), Kime Engozu and Josphine Otuaga.

The accused persons allegedly conspired among themselves to divert over N8bn paid into the account of the joint military task force by NIMASA during the tenure of Akpobolokemi.

“The money was converted into foreign exchange and the proceeds shared by the defendants. Specifically, payments to the tune of N8, 537,586,798.58 were allegedly made to the JTF’s account with a new generation bank by NIMASA,” Uwujaren said in a statement.

“A substantial part of the money, about N6, 038,350,741 was converted into United States dollars by Atewe and Akpobolokemi, through various bureau de change operators, and handed over to  Enzogu and  Otuaga who were business partners to Akpobokelemi and thereafter shared by the defendants.

“Part of the money was allegedly used in the acquisition of choice properties in Port Harcourt and Abuja, as well as shares in blue chip companies.”

One of the charges reads: “That you Mr. Patrick Ziadeke Akpobolokemi, Major General Emmanuel Atewe, Kime Engozu and Josphine Otuaga, sometime in 2014, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court with intent to defraud conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit; Conversion of the sum of N8,537,586,798.58 (Eight billion, five hundred and thirty seven million, five hundred and eighty six thousand, seven hundred and ninety eight Naira, fifty eight kobo), property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition)(Amendment)Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo told the court that he was ready for trial with his witnesses and pleaded for accelerated hearing.