The trial of Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), was on Thursday adjourned to March 22.
Akpobolokemi is standing trial alongside nine others on a 40-count charge of conspiracy, fraudulent conversion of funds and money laundering.
They had all pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Justice Saliu Saidu adjourned the suit in order to rule on the admissibility of a document tendered by a witness, who is Compliance Officer with a bank.
Justice Saliu Saidu granted the prayer of the prosecution to withdraw a document, which it had tendered on Wednesday as exhibit.
Counsel for the accused, Joseph Nwobike (SAN), had at the proceeding objected to the withdrawal of the document and urged the court to mark the document as “reject”.
The Prosecution witness, A. Adekunle, who was led in evidence by Festus Keyamo, informed the court that the anti-graft agency had requested for the account statement of Thlumbau Enterprises Limited, which his bank obliged.
Upon the identification of the documents and while counsel to the EFCC applied to the court to admit it, Nwobike objected to its admissibility.
Citing the provisions of sections 102 of the Evidence Act, Nwobike argued that the documents were uncertified photocopies and not original documents.
Counsel to the other accused also aligned themselves with the submission of Nwobike.
Justice Saidu adjourned the suit to March 22 for ruling.
Akpobolokemi is charged alongside Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Felix Bob-Nabena, Captain Warredi Enisouh, Governor Juan, Ugo Frederick and Timi Alari.
Al-kenzo Limited and Penniel Engineering Services Limited were also charged.
