Lagos high court orders seizure of NIMASA funds diverted under Jonathan administration

A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday ordered the final forfeiture of $16,500,000 and N127 million fraudulently diverted from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Eradication Commission (EFCC), the funds were diverted during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Therefore, following the EFCC’s application, Justice Kehinde Ogundare ordered the final forfeiture of the funds to the Federal Government.

EFCC legal counsel, Sulaiman I. Sulaiman, told the judge that the funds were in fact the proceeds of illegal activities.

The EFCC, in its supporting affidavit, explained that the funds were diverted after Jonathan, through the then National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, approved the disbursement of N1.2 billion to NIMASA on November 4, 2023.

EFCC noted that the funds were meant for the implementation of the International Ship and Port Security project.

The EFCC said the funds were diverted to a bank account belonging to Uche Obilor, an ally of NIMASA Executive Director, Captain Bala Agaba.

Agaba, it is said, is also the Chairman of the ISPS Committee.

The EFCC stated: “On November 4, 2013, the then President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, through the National Security Adviser, approved the requested sum of N1.12 billion, and after the first tranche of N1.12 billion was disbursed, account No. 0060559139 was opened on 03/1/14, signed by Captain Bala Ezekiel Agaba, Chairman, ISPS Committee/Executive Director, NIMASA, Mr. Victor I. Onuzurike, and Mr. Dele T. Ejekukor.

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“Once the money was credited to the committee’s account, Mr. Uche Obilor, a close associate of the committee chairman, Captain Agaba, received the sum of N437,726,666.66 million, through his company known as Seabulk Offshore Operator Limited with account number 005326440.

“That Obilor also received another sum of N402 million, through his company Southern Offshore Limited with account number 1013224100. And also, Mr. Uche Obilor used his company known as Ace Prothesis Limited to receive a total sum of N66,800 million, through his account number 1012583949.”

However, on May 23, 2024, the Magistrate issued an order temporarily seizing the funds, following an ex parte application by the EFCC.

The judge said the temporary seizure order should be published in a national newspaper to notify the public, adding that anyone interested in the money should apply to the court with reasons why the funds should not be permanently seized by the Federal Government.

On Tuesday, EFCC lawyer Suleiman said the publication had been done in The PUNCH newspaper and no one had come forward to claim the money.

Therefore, he urged the court to order permanent seizure of the funds.

Lagos high court orders seizure of NIMASA funds diverted under Jonathan administration first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.