The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced the prosecution of an oil magnate, Dr Akintoye Akindele, accused of complicity in the conversion of the sum of $35 million belonging to the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The sum was said to have been converted from the money paid by the NCDMB Capacity Development Intervention Company Ltd to Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited as investment in the establishment of a modular refinery, a jetty, amongst others in Brass, Bayelsa.
Akindele was arraigned alongside two others on a four-count charge bordering on retaining and using several amounts of money despite knowing that they emanate from an unlawful activity.
The two other defendants in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/ 641/2024, are Platform Capital Investment Partners Ltd and Duport Midstream Company Ltd.
Akindele, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges and was admitted to bail to enable him to prepare adequately for his trial.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, the anti-graft agency called its first prosecution witness (PW1), Hon. Isreal Sunny Goli, a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, R. U. Adagba, the witness told the court that his petition to the EFCC was predicated on the grounds that nothing tangible was done at the project site 24 months after funds were disbursed to the relevant agencies.
According to him, the Secretary of the NCDMB, Kiyesi Simbi Wabote. had informed them that the sum of $30 million for the project had been paid in full, under the immediate past Executive Secretary, Kiyesi Simbi Wabote -but unfortunately, nothing tangible was done at the project site.
During cross-examination by Akindele ‘s lawyer, Chief A. O. Okeaya-Inneh, SAN, the witness stated that, beyond the clearing of the project site and a non-functional jetty, nothing was done by those who collected the money.
After the end of cross-examination, EFCC’s lawyer, Adagba, prayed the court for an adjournment to enable the commission call its second witness in the matter.
Attempt by Okeaya-Inneh to move an application seeking leave for his client to travel abroad for medical checkups could not proceed because the counter affidavit filed by the prosecution was not before the court.
The trial Judge, Justice Ekerete Akpan, subsequently adjourned the matter till July 10 and 15, for continuation of the trial.