Ex-NIMASA DG, others docked over alleged stealing
Former acting Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Haruna Jauro, was, on Tuesday, arraigned before a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos by the Economy and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for an alleged stealing of the agency’s money amounting to N645,418,000.
In two charges, the EFCC accused Jauro and six others –including former Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services of the agency, Obi Callistus Nwabueze, of conspiracy, illegal conversion and stealing.
In the first charge number FHC/L/149C/16 consisting of nineteen counts, the commission accused Jauro, Dr Dauda Bistrus Bawa and a Limited liability company, Thlumbau Enterprises Limited, of conspiring and converting the sum of N314,418,000 property of NIMASA to personal use.
While the second charge number FHC/L/148C/16, the EFCC arraigned Nwabueze, Dismass Alu Adoon, Grand Pact Limited and Global Sea Investment Limited before the same court on an eight-count charge of conspiring, converting and stealing the sum of N331 million belonging to NIMASA.
All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.
EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed Justice Mojishola Olatoregun-Ishola that the accused persons committed the offence between 6th January, 2014 and 30th of May, 2015 in Lagos.
He also maintained that the offences were contrary to and punishable under Sections 15(1)(3)and 18(a) of Money Laundering Act, 2012.
The lawyers appearing for the accused persons, Mohammed Chawar and Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN) urged the court to admit their clients to bail, since they were presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Oyedepo did not oppose the bail application, but urge the court to impose condition that would compel them to attend their trial.
In her ruling, Justice Olatoregun-Ishola granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N5 million each with two sureties in like sum.
The Judge also held that the sureties were to swear to an affidavit of means and to produce three years’ tax clearance, while the companies were to produce a N5 million bond.
Meanwhile the matter has been adjourned till May 16, 2016.
