NIMASA fraud: Court adjourns till March for adoption of final addresses

NIMASA fraud: Court adjourns till March for adoption of final addresses
Calistus Obi. PHOTO CREDIT: SHIPS & PORTS archive

The N136 million fraud trial of a former Acting Director-General of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Calistus Obi, will soon be over as a Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned until March 7 for the adoption of final written addresses.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had slammed an eight-count charge on Obi, who was a former Executive Director, and later, acting DG of NIMASA.

He was charged alongside Alu Dismas, who was a former personal assistant to Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former DG of NIMASA.

According to the anti-graft agency, they conspired to convert the money, property of NIMASA, knowing full well that the money was proceeds of stealing.

They were alleged to have committed the offences on August 5, 2014.

The offences contravened sections 15 and 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibitions) (Amendment) Act, 2012.

On the next adjourned date, parties will adopt their addresses, while the court presided over by Justice Mojisola Olatoregun is expected to deliver judgment afterwards.

The court had in Feb. 21 2017 dismissed a no-case submission made by Obi and ordered him to open his defence.