By Akin Kuponiyi
The Economic and Financial Crimes commission, today arraigned in absentia, the former Niger Delta warlord Government Oweize Ekpemupolo and eight persons before a Federal High court sitting in Ikoyi south west Nigeria.
However the plea of Patrick Ziadeke Akpobolokemi,four other accused persons and seven companies were taken.
Others arraigned in absentia are,Pondi Ebimorbowei Kestin,Igo Akpobolokemi,Julius Akpobolokemi,Stephen Akpolobokemi,Victor Akpobolokemi,Norbert Akpobolokemi,Emmanuel Ebizimo Akpobolokemi, Clement Akpobolokemi.
Others whose pleas were taken are Kime Engozu, Josephine Otuaga,Rita Uruakpa, Mieke Dive Training Institute,Oyeinteke Global Network Ltd, Wabod Global Resources.Ltd,Boloboere Properties Estate Ltd, Gokaid Marine Oil and Gas Ltd,Muhaabix Global Services ltd,and Watershed Associated Resources.
In a twenty two count criminal charge filed before the court by EFCC prosecutor Mr Festus Keyamo, it was alleged that Patrick Ziakede Kpolobokemi,Kime Engozu,Josephine Otuaga,Rita Uruakpa Pondi Ebimorbowei Kestin and others at large, conspired together to obtain N47.693 billion, property of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.
The prosecution said the money was obtained by false pretence between 11th of April,2014 and 23rd of February,2015 with intent to defraud .
They were also alleged to have led NIMASA to acquire some parcel of land for the temporary Campus of the Nigeria Maritime University Okerenkoro Warri, and falsely told the agency that the said land was free from encumberances, which representation they knew to be false.
All the offences alleged have been committed by the accused persons are contrary to and punishable under sections (1) 3 of the Advance Fraud and the other Fraud related offences act,2006.
All the accused persons present in the court pleaded not guilty.
Dr Joseph Nwobike SAN, leading nine other lawyers,urged the court to grant them bail with the same condition the accused persons were granted in the other criminal cases they are standing trial.
EFCC prosecutor Mr Festus Keyamo did not raise any objection but told the court that the sureties should not be the same person in other cases,
The Presiding Judge Ibrahim Buba while adjourning the case till 30th of May,2016 for trial ordered that Patrick Akpobolokemi and Kime Engosu should continue on their former bail, while Josephine Otuaga and Rita Uruakpa were admitted to bail in the sum of N50million with one surety each.
The sureties must be a landed property owner in Lagos.
The accused persons are to deposit their international Passports with the court.
The author, Akin Kuponiyi can be reached at: serekode@yahoo.com