EFCC arraigns former acting DG of NIMASA for alleged N156m fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC yesterday April 12th, arraigned a former acting Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Haruna Jauro, his brother in-law, Dauda Bistrus Bawa, his company Thlumbau Enterprises Limited and others before the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged N156m fraud in the agency.

Jauro was appointed as an acting DG of NIMASA in July last year following the sack of the former Director General, Patrick Apkobolokemi, who is now being prosecuted for alleged multi billion naira fraud in the agency.

According to EFCC, Jauro and his co-accused were found to have been involved in the massive corruption that was perpetuated during the tenure of Akpobolokemi.

It was discovered that the former Acting DG while being the Executive Director, Finance, of the agency, received N156,477,500 as gratification from embattled Akpobolokemi to allow him and his cohorts embezzle money from the agency.

Part of the charges against them reads " that you Haruna Baba Jauro, Dr Dauda Bistrus Bawa and Thlumbau Enterprises Limited on or about the 6th day of January 2014, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honorable court did conspire among yourselves to commit an offense to wit: conversion of the sum of N156,477,500 ( One Hundred and Fifty Six Million, Four Hundred Seventy Seven Thousand, Five Hundred Naira Only) property of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, knowing that the said sum were proceeds of stealing and thereby committed an offense contrary to section 18(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under section 15(3) of the same Act”. All the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail in the sum of N5, 000,000 (Five Million Naira ) and two sureties in like sum.

The sureties must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court and must present tax clearance for the last three years.