Prominent Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate allegations of financial mismanagement involving the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh.
Adeyanju’s petition, obtained by reporters, accuses Dr. Jamoh and an unnamed contractor of misappropriating funds allocated for the construction of the Senate building at the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko, Delta State. Despite the release of funds, the Senate building remains uncompleted.
The petition reads in part:
“We write as concerned Nigerians to petition Dr. Bashir Jamoh, the Director-General of NIMASA, and an unknown contractor over the mismanagement of the Senate building project at NMU, Okerenkoko, Delta State.
“Sometime ago, Dr. Jamoh awarded a contract and disbursed funds to a contractor for the construction of the Senate building. However, the contractor failed to execute the project, leaving the building uncompleted despite receiving the necessary funds.
“Dr. Bashir Jamoh, as the Director-General, bears responsibility for this mismanagement. The lack of sanctions against the contractor raises serious concerns about accountability in the administration of public funds and government projects under his leadership.”
Adeyanju urged the EFCC to thoroughly investigate the matter and prosecute those found culpable.
Previous Allegations Against NIMASA management
This is not the first time NIMASA has faced scrutiny. In 2021, the agency was implicated in a scandal involving alleged fraudulent contracts worth N87 billion. Among the uncompleted projects were several at NMU, including:
Ship-building facility and dockyard: Contracted for N40.2 billion.
Administrative Blocks (A1): N836 million, at 15% foundation level.
Lecture Rooms (A2): N1.7 million, with 0% execution.
Vice Chancellor’s Lodge and Staff Quarters (A3): N11.7 million, unexecuted.
Student Hostels (A4): Unexecuted.
Perimeter Fence (A13): N446 million, unexecuted.
Jetty and Ramp (A18): N808 million, only 5% bush clearing completed.
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts, led by Senator Matthew Urhoghide, previously cited a 2015 Auditor-General report highlighting these lapses. Despite multiple invitations, NIMASA leadership reportedly failed to provide satisfactory explanations or respond to queries, prompting recommendations for EFCC investigations.
Adeyanju’s petition reignites calls for accountability and transparency in the management of public funds allocated to critical national projects.
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