An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigator, Orji Chukwuma has told a Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday how a former acting Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Calistus Obi, built a hotel in Asaba, Delta State capital, using the agency’s funds.
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.
Obi, who was a former NIMASA Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Service, took over from Patrick Akpobolokemi, now facing six separate fraud and theft charges.
Chukwuma said the money stolene from an account opened for NIMASA’s Technical Ratification Committee on Maritime Labour Congress.
Accordning to the him N10million was paid to Seastroke International Ltd which was developing the hotel for Obi.
Chukwuma also revealed how Obi gave N1million to St Mary’s Catholic Church, Okija in Anambra State.
The EFCC investigator also said a company, Knight and Sheriff, was paid N10million.The company’s account was operated by Obi’s special adviser, Chukwuma said.
Chukwuma informed the court that the two companies NIMASA’s funds were paid to never had any business with the agency.
He said Obi made rampant payments to different individuals, including his wife, using NIMASA’s funds.
Obi pleaded not guilty to the charge.
It will be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari fired Obi less that one week after he appointed him acting DG of NIMASA.
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