The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has
frozen the accounts of two companies reportedly owned by the ex-Niger
Delta militant leader, Chief Government Ekpompolo, otherwise known as
Tompolo.
The companies, named Mieka Divers Limited and Global West Vessels Limited, are allegedly linked with fraudulent activity in the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) under its ex-director general, Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, The Nation reports.
The head of the media unit of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, did not confirm any details, but said that investigations are ongoing as regards Akpobolokemi’s tenure at NIMASA.
He said: “I can’t confirm that to you immediately, but what I know is that the matter has been under investigation.”
The report revealed that a number of private bank accounts, allegedly linked to Akpobolokemi, had also been frozen on the orders of the EFCC.
A source said freezing the bank accounts was aimed at checking the illegal movement of large sums of foreign and local currency across the nation’s borders.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, further stated that there was ongoing security surveillance on a number of private and corporate accounts suspected of being linked to slush funds.
Money said to be a part payment for construction work on Maritime University and NIMASA Techincal College in Delta state, under a N30 billion contract agreed by the former administration of the agency, is reportedly trapped at a Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, branch of an old generation bank.
The source said the move by the EFCC was to verify and keep a close watch on the outflow of funds from the accounts, with a view to ensuring that such funds were used for the projects they were meant for.
The source said: “For instance, just one individual got about N13 billion from a single transaction with NIMASA. The same individual also collected about $57 million from similar deals from the agency without proper documentation.
“No serious administration would attempt to sweep this type of thing under the carpet. So there must be proper explanations, bearing in mind the security implications of movement of such large sums within the system.”
Meanwhile, the presidency has issued a statement ordering every federal government ministry, parastatal and agency to begin remitting its earnings into a Treasury Single Account (TSA).
The companies, named Mieka Divers Limited and Global West Vessels Limited, are allegedly linked with fraudulent activity in the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) under its ex-director general, Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, The Nation reports.
The head of the media unit of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, did not confirm any details, but said that investigations are ongoing as regards Akpobolokemi’s tenure at NIMASA.
He said: “I can’t confirm that to you immediately, but what I know is that the matter has been under investigation.”
The report revealed that a number of private bank accounts, allegedly linked to Akpobolokemi, had also been frozen on the orders of the EFCC.
A source said freezing the bank accounts was aimed at checking the illegal movement of large sums of foreign and local currency across the nation’s borders.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, further stated that there was ongoing security surveillance on a number of private and corporate accounts suspected of being linked to slush funds.
Money said to be a part payment for construction work on Maritime University and NIMASA Techincal College in Delta state, under a N30 billion contract agreed by the former administration of the agency, is reportedly trapped at a Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, branch of an old generation bank.
The source said the move by the EFCC was to verify and keep a close watch on the outflow of funds from the accounts, with a view to ensuring that such funds were used for the projects they were meant for.
The source said: “For instance, just one individual got about N13 billion from a single transaction with NIMASA. The same individual also collected about $57 million from similar deals from the agency without proper documentation.
“No serious administration would attempt to sweep this type of thing under the carpet. So there must be proper explanations, bearing in mind the security implications of movement of such large sums within the system.”
Meanwhile, the presidency has issued a statement ordering every federal government ministry, parastatal and agency to begin remitting its earnings into a Treasury Single Account (TSA).
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