EFCC arrests ex-NIMASA boss

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday continued its investigations into the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan by arresting the former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi, who was sacked on July 16 by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Information emanating from the anti graft agency indicate that the former NIMASA boss was arrested Thursday morning. Though calls placed to the phone of the EFCC spokesman were not going through, an insider source has informed that Akpobolokemi was arrested in Lagos and held in the Lagos office of the agency.

Akpolokemi was not the only one arrested by the EFCC, but also some top management staff of NIMASA.

While the others have been released as at press time, Akpolokemi was still being held. It was gathered that the former NIMASA boss was arrested over some curious multi-billion naira transactions he allegedly approved during the end of the last administration.

One of such allegations has required Akpolokemi to explain how N13 billion was spent on the acquisition of land for the permanent site of the Nigerian Maritime University in Delta State. Millions of dollars are also believed to have been transferred from NIMASA accounts to other accounts under Akpolokemi’s leadership.

It is believed that the former NIMASA boss will have to answer questions on several allegations of financial impropriety against his tenure, including those which suggested the agency funded the lavish lifestyles of some Niger Delta militants and bankrolled most of the hate campaigns against Mr. Buhari in the run-up to the 2015 elections.