The trial of the former director general of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Temisan Omatseye continued on Tuesday May 15, 2012 at the Federal High Court Lagos with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission calling two witnesses.

Ahmed Ibrahim, an operative of the Commission and prosecuting witness 1 during cross examination by Olushina Sofola, counsel to the accused person, told the court how several contracts were awarded for the supply of desk top computers, air fitters, printers and lap tops and a host of others, without due process. He said the contracts were only internally advertised on the notice board of NIMASA, and that it breached government procedure on approval limit.

The second prosecution witness and Director of Shipping M. K Bulaman, who was the then Director of Finance, told the court that the sum of three hundred thousand pounds was transferred from NIMASA rent account to NIMASA imprest account and that the money was meant to finance the election of one Mrs. Mbanefo, a Nigeria who was seeking the office of the Secretary General of International Maritime Organization.

He told the court that out of the 300,000 pounds, 26,000 pounds was expended on renting accommodation. He also told the court that the agency’s approval limit for service was N2.5 million and N5 million for works.

Justice Binta Nyako has adjourned proceedings to June 12 for further cross examination and presentation of more witnesses by the EFCC.

Omatseye was first arraigned on February 3, 2011 on an 11 count charge of offences that borders on contract splitting, illegal transfer of fund and unlawful approvals.

Media & Publicity Unit
15th May, 2012.