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Money laundering

Apr 30, 2025

FRN vs Captain Ezekiel Agaba (Former Executive Director of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency)

Humans

Captain Ezekiel Agaba

Money bag

N1,541,408,666.00
Amount allegedly laundered

Money bag

Case Summary
The Accused allegedly converted and laundered N1.54billion belonging to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency in tranches of N437,726,666.60, N66,800,000, N21,802,000 and N402,480, 000.00, N525,000,000, N70,000.000 and N176, 000,000, through Seabulk Offshore Operator Ltd, Ace Protehesis Limited, Extreme Vertex Nigeria Limited and Aroward Consulting Limited.

Calendar

1,686
Day(s) case tried in court

Gavel

Case Update
The trial judge, while delivering judgment, held that the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant stole the sum from NIMASA while he was in charge of Maritime, Safety and Shipping. The judge, therefore, convicted the defendant on the 7 counts of conversion and criminal breach of trust filed against him and sentenced him to seven years imprisonment on each count. The sentences are run concurrently. The court, however, declined the application of the prosecution to order for forfeiture of property allegedly bought by the convict from the proceeds of the crime as it is a subject of another suit at the Federal High Court.

Court house

Hon. Justice I. N. Buba
Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos

Legislation

ACJA/ACJL Compliance - violated

Case Information
Captain Ezekiel Agaba
Presiding Judge & Designated Court
Hon. Justice I. N. Buba, Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos
Nature and Number of Charges
7-count charge of money laundering.
Date of 1st Arraignment
Dec 4, 2015
Summary of Case
The Accused allegedly converted and laundered N1.54billion belonging to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency in tranches of N437,726,666.60, N66,800,000, N21,802,000 and N402,480, 000.00, N525,000,000, N70,000.000 and N176, 000,000, through Seabulk Offshore Operator Ltd, Ace Protehesis Limited, Extreme Vertex Nigeria Limited and Aroward Consulting Limited.
Defendant(s) and Plea entered on Arraignment
1. Captain Ezekiel Agaba (Former Executive Director of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency) – Not guilty
Defence Counsel(s)
1. E.D. Oyeneke (Lawyer)
Prosecuting Agency
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
Prosecutor(s)
1. Rotimi Oyedepo (Senior Advocate of Nigeria)
Status of Case
Decided
Decision
Convicted
Length of Trial
1,686 day(s)
ACJA/ACJL Compliance
Violated
Court Decision
The trial judge, while delivering judgment, held that the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant stole the sum from NIMASA while he was in charge of Maritime, Safety and Shipping. The judge, therefore, convicted the defendant on the 7 counts of conversion and criminal breach of trust filed against him and sentenced him to seven years imprisonment on each count. The sentences are run concurrently. The court, however, declined the application of the prosecution to order for forfeiture of property allegedly bought by the convict from the proceeds of the crime as it is a subject of another suit at the Federal High Court.