Ex NIMASA boss, Akpobolokemi arrested by EFCC

Former boss of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi, who was sacked two weeks ago by President Buhari was arrested by EFCC officials today July 30th.

According to a NIMASA official who revealed this to Premium Times, Akpobolokemi was arrested this morning at about 10am over allegations of misappropriation of funds during his tenure as the DG of the maritime agency

"He was taken in this morning around 10 a.m. Some of our other officials have also been summoned while EFCC operatives have been conducting discreet investigation here. There is tension everywhere. One of our people just returned from EFCC and he told me the former DG is still there, sweating profusely as he was being questioned by investigators." the source said

EFCC officials stormed the NIMASA head office and interrogated some officials over contracts awarded by Mr Akpobolokemi during the last administration

"For instance, they wanted to know how a whopping N13 billion was spent on the acquisition of land for the permanent site of the Nigerian Maritime University in Delta. They also asked about other transactions they believed were fraudulent, including transfers of millions of dollars from NIMASA accounts to other accounts.” the source added

An official of EFCC who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed Mr Akpobolokemi's arrest.

"I’m aware he is with us but I don’t have details about the case against him or what investigators are asking him,” said the official