Given judgment in a case
brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Justice Rita Ofili-
Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court convicted Mr Omatseye for a N1.5bn
contract scam.
The former Director-General
of the Nigerian Maritime Administration Safety Agency, Raymond Omatseye, was on
Friday jailed for five years.
Details of the judgment is
sketchy at this time, and we will provide updates later.
Background
The EFCC said the former
NIMASA boss committed while he was in office, in violation of the country’s
public procurement law.
Mr. Omatseye was arraigned
before the court on a 27-count charge bordering on alleged contract variation,
bid rigging and awarding contract above his approval limit.
At the final hearing of the
matter on March 24, before the court fixed a date for judgment, the prosecution
counsel, Godwin Obla, SAN, and defence counsel, E. D Onyeke made their final
addresses and adopted them before the court.
Mr Onyeke filed and served
the court and prosecution a written address and adopted it.
He urged the court to
dismiss the case against the former NIMASA boss on the grounds that the
prosecution did not prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Mr. Obla also adopted his
written address and expressed confidence that the 27-count charge against the
defendant was proven beyond all reasonable doubt and prayed the court to find
the defendant guilty of all the charges.
According to Mr. Obla, 25
counts of the charges preferred against Mr. Omatseye dwelt on the approval of
contract above the threshold level and the other two counts dealt with bid
rigging.
He also said that, contrary
to existing regulations, contract was awarded to a company that was the highest
bidder and which was not even pre-qualified for the contract.
After listening to all
their submissions, Mrs. Ajumogobia adjourned the matter and fixed May 9, 2016
for judgment.
Judgment date was however
moved to May 20 (today).
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