Skip to main content

N378m theft: Witness exposes ex-NIMASA boss

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday heard that former acting Director-General of NIMASA, Calistus Obi, allegedly built a hotel in Asaba,using the agency’s funds.

Obi, who was a former NIMASA Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Service, took over from Patrick Akpobolokemi, the immediate past DG of NIMASA, who is facing six separate charges of conversion and theft.

He was charged alongside three companies – Dismass Alu Adoon Ltd, Grand Pact Ltd., and Global Sea Investment Ltd on eight counts bordering on conversion of funds to the tune of over N378 million from NIMASA.

At Obi’s trial on Wednesday, a witness, who is an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Orji Chukwuma, said that the accused used NIMASA’s funds to build a hotel.

He alleged that the money was taken from an account opened for NIMASA’s Technical Ratification Committee on Maritime Labour Congress.

According to the witness, about N10million was paid to Seastroke International Ltd which was in charge of developing the hotel for Obi.

He said that Obi also gave N1million to a church in Anambra, but its purpose was not disclosed.

According to him, a company, Knight and Sheriff, was paid N10million, adding that the company’s account was operated by Obi’s Special Adviser (SA).

“I was made to understand that the operator of the account was his SA who started using it to keep monies for the first accused (Obi),” the witness said.

He said that two companies into which NIMASA’s funds were paid, never had any business with the agency.

The witness said that Obi made several payments, including to his wife, using NIMASA’s funds.

“He did not give any explanations as to why these funds were withdrawn and he did not present any documents showing the utilisation of these funds,” the witness said.

After listening to the witness, the court asked counsel to bot parties to reach an agreement as to when it would be suitable for the next adjournment, and communicate back to the court.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Houthis Claim Attack on Central Israel in Response to Gaza ‘Massacres’

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a concerning regional turn as the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for an attack on central Israel. The group announced this as part of their escalating response to what they describe as "massacres" in Gaza amid the Israeli military’s operations in the strip. Details of the Attack The Houthis, a Shiite militant group with ties to Iran, declared that they launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel. While the exact impact of these attacks remains unclear, reports suggest that Israel’s defense systems intercepted several threats over its airspace. This marks a significant escalation as the Houthis widen their involvement in the conflict beyond their typical operations within Yemen and neighboring Saudi Arabia. The Houthis’ Justification In their statement, the Houthis framed the attack as retaliation for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which they characterized as indiscriminate bombings resultin...
Post a Comment
Read more

Fire: UniJos Senate convenes emergency meeting on Monday

Fire at the University of Jos Library University of Jos is to convene an emergency senate meeting on Monday to review the level of damage done to the institution by the Saturday night inferno. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sebastian Maimako, disclosed this on Sunday after inspecting areas affected by the incident. The fire, which lasted for more than six hours, destroyed the Library Complex that equally houses the faculties of management and social sciences. The fire also destroyed examination scripts, books and very crucial materials. Consequently, the vice-chancellor said “the Senate will meet tomorrow (Monday) to take a decision about the unmarked examination scripts that were burnt.” On the cause of the inferno, Maimako said investigation had commenced, adding that “nothing has been confirmed yet. We are still investigating.” The vice chancellor said the school was already working with federal authorities toward establishing a main fire station since the mini fire station in t...
Post a Comment
Read more

NDLEA arrests 252 suspects, seizes 3,073 kg Indian hemp

NDLEA operatives The NDLEA in Niger on Monday said that it had arrested 252 suspects and seized 3,073.9 kilogramme of Indian hemp(cannabis sativa) in the state. The NDLEA Commander in the state, Mr Joseph Iweajunwa, who disclosed this in Minna, said that the operations were carried out between January and September. “Our operations in Niger State from January to September 2016 led to the arrest of 252 suspects and seizure of 3,073.997 kilogramme of cannabis sativa,’’ he said. Iweajunwa said that within the period, the agency also seized 1, 530 litres of liquid drugs, especially cough syrup with codeine. He said the NDLEA also counselled and rehabilitated 90 drug addicts in the state within the period under review. The agency, he added, secured convictions of only nine of the suspects because the judge at the Federal High Court, Minna, went on leave. “ Now that the judge has resumed more suspects will be tried,’’ he said. He advised motorists, especially commercial vehicle dri...
Post a Comment
Read more