There were indications yesterday that Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested the immediate past Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi. He was sacked two weeks ago by President Mohammadu Buhari. According to online newspaper, PREMIUM TIMES, Akpobolokemi was arrested in Lagos yesterday morning and was detained at the Lagos office of the EFCC in the Ikoyi area of the city.
“He was taken in this morning around 10 a.m.,” the NIMASA insider said. “Some of our other officials have also been summoned while EFCC operatives have been conducting discreet investigation here. There is tension everywhere. “One of our people just returned from EFCC and he told me the former DG is still there, sweating profusely as he was being questioned by investigators.”
The paper reported that while at NIMASA headquarters, EFCC operatives asked questions about some curious multibillion naira transactions approved by Mr. Akpobolokemi, especially during the dying days of the last administration.
It could be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari recently terminated the appointment of Mr. Akpobolokemi as the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, announced the sacking in a statement made available to journalists.
Adesina, however, did not give reason for the decision which he said took immediate effect but directed that Akpobolokemi should hand over the management of NIMASA and all government property in his possession to the most senior officer in the agency who will remain in charge until a new Director-General is appointed.
