By Onozure Dania

Lagos—Justice Raliat Adebiyi of a Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere yesterday dismissed the preliminary objections filed by a former Director-General of Nigeria Maritime Administration Safety Agency, NIMASA Patrick Akpobolokemi and two others challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the suit preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC over alleged stealing of N754,740,680.00 million belonging to NIMASA, for lack of merit.

The embattled former NIMASA, DG, was arraigned on January 25, before the Court alongside Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Amechee Juan, Vincent Udoye, Captain Adegboyega Sahib Olopoenia and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Limited on a 13-count charge bordering on stealing of N754, 740,680 million belonging to NIMASA. Akpobolokemi had through his counsel, Dr. Joseph Nwobike, SAN, filed a notice of preliminary objection dated February 12 challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the suit.

He argued that by virtue of the provisions of Section 251 (1) (a) and (3) of the 1999 Constitution only the Federal High Court has exclusive jurisdiction over matters and cases arising from, pertaining to and or is connected with the revenue of the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agencies.

The fourth defendant, Governor Amechee Juan, through his counsel Ige Asemudara also filed a similar application.

While ruing on the preliminary objections, Justice Adebiyi dismissed all the issues raised by the applicants on the ground that they lacked merit.

However, the matter was adjourned till April 14 and 20 for trial.