Maritime
NIMASA employees’ statements to EFCC are voluntary, court rules
By Richards Adeniyi
A Lagos High Court, Ikeja, on Friday ruled that statements of two ex-employees of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) — Ezekiel Agaba and Ekene Nwakuche — to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were voluntary.
Agaba, a former Executive Director of NIMASA and Nwakuche, his Personal Assistant, had alleged that their statements to EFCC were made under duress and therefore inadmissible.
They alleged that an EFCC investigator, Orji Chukwuma, had coerced them into writing incriminating statements during interrogation at the Commission’s office.
Agaba and Nwakuche are arraigned alongside Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former Director-General of NIMASA and four others on a 13-count charge of conspiracy to steal, fraud and stealing of N754 million belonging to NIMASA.
The others are Governor Juan, Vincent Udoye, Adegboyega Olopoenia and a company — Gama Marine Nigeria Limited.
They all denied the charges.
The EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, had objected to the defence counsel, Mr E.D. Onyeke’s submission that the statements were in their original form and relevant to the facts of the case.
-
Business5 days agoNigeria: Whither the fruits of 2026 crude oil windfall?
-
Latest6 days agoMakinde declares 2027 presidential bid under PDP–APM alliance
-
Comments and Issues6 days agoPolitical Parties Primaries: Consensus or Coronation?
-
Business5 days agoTrump-Xi summit sparks fresh questions for Nigeria’s economy, tech sector
-
Comments and Issues6 days agoDoes it matter to Africa if Nigel Farage comes to Number 10?
-
Business4 days agoNigeria’s foreign debt climbs 22% to $51.86bn under Tinubu administration
-
Comments and Issues6 days agoIs France Real or Playing Ping Pong With Africa?
-
Comments and Issues5 days agoThe “Onuku” Called Kenneth Okonkwo