A prosecution witness, Godwin Okon has narrated to a Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja how a couple, Amaechi Ndili, his wife Njide Chizoba Ndili allegedly stole $4.7 million meant for their foreign partners.

The couple were docked alongside Lionstone Offshore Services Limited before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe by the police on a three-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The police alleged in the charge that the defendants allegedly exploited the Local Content Act, by denying their foreign partner, Hercules Offshore Nigeria Limited, of the funds due to it.

The police claimed that Lionstone was engaged by Hercules as its local partner and to receive payments on its behalf in respect of contracts it executed for  Addax Petroleum Development Nigeria Ltd.

The prosecution further alleged that the $4,666,234.28 formed part of the payments the defendants received on behalf of Hercules, but which they failed to remit to Hectares by their agreement, but instead, allegedly converted the money to their personal use.

The prosecutor, Assistant Commissioner of Police Simon Lough (SAN) had maintained that the offences are contrary to Section 516 and 387 and they are punishable under section 390 of the Criminal Code law, Cap C38 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty.

At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, Okon, informed the court that the defendants entered into a contractual agreement with Hercules and, after the execution of the contract they only paid part of the money due to the company.

The judge has adjourned the case to January 31 for the continuation of the trial.