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Court of Appeal clears ex-NIMASA DG, Akpobolokemi of N754.8m fraud case

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The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, has discharged and acquitted former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, of alleged fraud involving N754.8 million.

In a unanimous judgment delivered on Friday, the appellate court upheld Akpobolokemi’s appeal and overturned the ruling of the Ikeja High Court, which had earlier dismissed his no-case submission.

The court quashed the 12-count charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The EFCC had initially accused Akpobolokemi of conspiracy, stealing, and forgery in connection with purported illegal transfers from the account of the VIMSAS Committee.

While he was initially arraigned alongside several others, the charges were later amended to focus solely on him and one co-defendant.

Justice Raliatu Adebiyi of the trial court had previously held that the EFCC had established a prima facie case against the defendants and directed them to open their defence.

Akpobolokemi, through his counsel, Ogbonna and Kunle Gbolahan, challenged the ruling, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish any direct link between him and the alleged offences.

The appeal pointed to the reliance on inadmissible evidence and uncorroborated testimonies of prosecution witnesses, including PW9, PW10, and PW11, as well as Exhibits P59 to P61.

The appellate court found merit in the appeal, holding that Akpobolokemi was neither a member of the VIMSAS Committee nor a signatory to any of its accounts.

It also held that he did not authorize or sign any withdrawal instructions or internal memoranda related to the transactions in question.

The court emphasized that trial courts are bound to act only on legally admissible evidence and noted that the evidence relied upon in this case should have been excluded, regardless of whether objections were raised during trial.

By striking out the charges and entering an acquittal, the Court of Appeal brought the protracted legal proceedings against Akpobolokemi to a close.

During the trial, Akpobolokemi’s defence consistently argued that the EFCC had not substantiated its case, while the prosecution, led by Rotimi Oyedepo, maintained that the testimonies of 12 witnesses supported the charges.

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BREAKING: Police take over PDP Secretariat in Abuja

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As tension continues to mount over the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting, which is expected to hold on Monday, armed policemen have taken over its secretariat.

According to an official of the party who spoke to newsmen, the police were deployed to stop the proposed NEC Expanded Caucus Meeting.

Though some staff members of the party were initially allowed to go into the premises of the secretariat without any resistance from the police, they were later sent out.

At the time of filing this report, journalists were also asked to leave the premises of the secretariat, while some policemen were seen cordoning off Dalaba Street, which is the road leading to Wadata Plaza.

Details shortly…

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Police arrest suspected cultist during meeting, recover firearm in Ogun

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Operatives from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, Ogun State Police Command, have arrested a suspected member of the Eiye Confraternity, Ismail Afolabi, at Saje Area of Car Wash, Abeokuta.

The suspect was arrested following credible intelligence received by the police that members of the Eiye Confraternity were holding a secret meeting with the intention to carry out criminal activities.

The police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, confirming the arrest to DAILY POST on Sunday, said the suspect was apprehended while attempting to flee.

Odutola stated that he was found in possession of a cross bag containing a loaded cut-to-size double-barrel shotgun and live ammunition.

She said, “On Friday, June 27, 2025, at about 05:30 pm , the Ogun State Police Command received credible intelligence that members of the Eiye Confraternity were holding a clandestine meeting with suspected criminal intent at the Saje Area of Car Wash, Abeokuta.

“Operatives from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit swiftly mobilized to the scene. On arrival, one suspect, Ismail Afolabi ‘m’, was found in possession of a cross-body bag containing a cut-to-size double-barrel shotgun loaded with live ammunition.”

The spokesperson noted that preliminary investigations have commenced, and efforts are ongoing to track down other accomplices.

The Command restated its commitment to eradicating cult-related violence and maintaining peace and order in the state.

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Suspected gunmen kidnap man in Benue

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Gunmen have kidnapped a middle-aged man, Ortese Tarlumun Joseph, in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, after shooting at his family during an attempted escape.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama revealed the incident in a post on X on Sunday.

He said the abduction happened on Friday, June 27, around 6:00 p.m. near Tomanyiin Main Village in Nzorov district.

Sources told Makama that Ortese was returning from the farm with his wife and son when two armed men came out of the bush and ordered them to lie down.

“Out of fear, the family tried to run, and the gunmen fired two gunshots.

“Mrs. Ortese said she later heard her husband calling for help but could not find him. It was later discovered that the attackers had taken him away,” Makama wrote

The family’s Toyota Corolla was found at the scene.

Security personnel launched a search operation shortly after the incident, but neither the kidnappers nor the victim had been found at the time of reporting.

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