In a decisive ruling delivered on Friday, a three-member panel of justices unanimously upheld Akpobolokemi’s appeal, overturning the decision of Justice Raliatu Adebiyi of the Ikeja High Court, who had previously ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had established a prima facie case and ordered the defendant to open his defence.
The Court of Appeal, however, disagreed, ruling that the prosecution failed to link Akpobolokemi to any wrongdoing.
It quashed all 12 counts brought against him by the EFCC, which had accused the former maritime boss of conspiracy, stealing, and forgery in relation to alleged unlawful withdrawals from the account of the VIMSAS Committee.
Akpobolokemi’s lawyers, led by Barristers Ogbonna and Kunle Gbolahan, had argued that the EFCC’s case relied heavily on uncorroborated testimonies and inadmissible evidence—specifically citing Exhibits P59 to P61 and the testimonies of prosecution witnesses PW9, PW10, and PW11.
