Ex-NIMASA Chief Jailed For N378m Fraud

The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday convicted a former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) acting Director-General Calistus Obi for converting the agency’s funds.

Justice Mojisola Olatoregun found him guilty of money laundering.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Obi on April 12, 2016, on eight counts of converting N378,810,000 from NIMASA.

Obi, a former NIMASA Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, took over from Dr Patrick Akpobolokemi, who is also facing multiple money laundering and theft charges.

Obi was charged with Akpobolokemi’s former aide, Dismass Alu Adoon, Grand Pact Limited and Global Sea Investment Limited.

Justice Olatoregun held that the EFCC proved the case beyond reasonable doubts.

She found Obi guilty of counts five, six, seven and eight; she found Adoon guilty of counts two and four.

The judge discharged the defendants on counts one and three, which had to do with conspiracy.