EFCC Arrests Maritime Agency Boss, others
 2nd MAY 2007

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday stormed the premises of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and arrested its Director-General, Mrs. Mfon Ekong Usoro, an Executive Director, Mr. Ade Dosunmu and another director, Mrs. Chineku Ezeala.
Although no official reason was given for the EFCC's action, it may not be unconnected with series of allegations of financial maladministration leveled against the management of the agency.
Their arrest was effected yesterday at about 5.00 p. m. after several hours of search for possible incriminating documents at the NIMASA headquarters by the EFCC officials who arrived there as early as 9 am.
It could not be ascertained if the operatives found any incriminating documents to substantiate the allegations but the trio were taken to unknown destination yesterday evening.
Sources said last night that they were taken to the EFCC's Awolowo Road office of the EFCC.
The EFCC operatives, who swooped on the Burma Road office of NIMASA politely turned down requests to know their mission as they simply said “when we are through with why we are here, you will know but we can't allow you into any of the floors of this building."
There have been allegations of financial maladministration by the management of the agency recently. Some of which included the purchase of a search and rescue helicopter at the cost of N2.2 billion without due process, the launch of a book written by a private individual for N45 million, and the deposit of $20 million in a commercial bank without approval.
Before her arrest, Usoro had denied the allegations, which she said were not only false but malicious.
She said the process for the purchase of the helicopter started before she was appointed as NIMASA boss, adding that the procurement was approved by the Federal Ministry of Transport.
On the N45 million the agency reportedly paid for a private book, she said NIMASA was directed by the Federal Ministry of Transport to support the book presentation with "gold sponsorship category."
Usoro said NIMASA, having been empowered by the ministry bought 2,000 copies of the book for N45 million for distribution among 16 tertiary institutions.
Speaking on the $20 million deposit in a commercial bank, Usoro explained that the money was in the bank before her appointment, adding she only rolled it over at the maturity of the investment.
The Federal Government, is also investigating an allegation of missing N1.5 billion belonging to the agency.
The fund was said to have been trapped in a failed bank but the report of the panel indicated that there was no evidence of such deposit in the failed banks account book with the National Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).
The report also indicted the present NIMASA management for blocking all access to vital information that could possibly give clues to the whereabouts of the missing fund.

Source: Guardian

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