There were more startling revelations today on how former Acting Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Calistus Obi, allegedly built a hotel in Asaba, Delta State capital, using the agency’s funds.
At the resumed hearing today at the Federal High Court in Lagos, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Orji Chukwuma, said Mr. Obi used NIMASA’s funds to build a hotel.
According to Mr. Chukwuma, the money was taken from an account opened for NIMASA’s Technical Ratification Committee of the Maritime Labour Congress.
He added that N10 million was paid to Seastroke International Limited, which was developing the hotel for Mr. Obi, just as he also allegedly gave N1million to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Okija, Anambra State, though the purpose was not disclosed.
“Obi personally received N200,000 from the account on February 12, 2014. A company, Knight and Sheriff, was paid N10 million. The company’s account was operated by Obi’s special adviser, who started using it to keep money for the first defendant (Obi)."
Mr. Chukwuma also said that some funds belonging to NIMASA were paid to two companies, which never had any business dealing with the agency.
“Obi made several payments to different individuals, including to his wife, using NIMASA’s funds.
“He doesn’t have any explanation on why these funds were withdrawn and doesn’t have any documents showing utilization of the funds."
Mr. Obi and three companies – Dismass Alu Adoon, Grand Pact Limited and Global Sea Investment Limited – were arraigned on eight counts of converting N378,810,000 from NIMASA.
Mr. Obi, a former NIMASA Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Service, who took over from Patrick Akpobolokemi, is facing six separate fraud and theft charges.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment.