The Federal High Court in Lagos, on Monday, sentenced convicted former Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Calistus Obi, to 7 years imprisonment each on 6 out of 8 count he was charged with.
He was, however, given an option of N7 million fine each on each of the six counts. There was no term of imprisonment in count five as the two companies charged with them were ordered to pay a fine of N10million
His personal Assistant, Ali Dismas, who was convicted along with him, was sentenced to 7 years imprisonment each on 3 out of 8 counts charge.
EFCC had charged them for converting N331 million belonging to the agency for personal use. Mr Obi was appointed the acting head of NIMASA, two months after Pres. Buhari assumed office in 2015.
Mr Buhari had earlier fired Patrick Akpobolokemi as the Chief Executive Officer of the agency. Akpobolokemi is also being prosecuted separately for corruption while in office.
In the charge filed against Mr Obi, he was alleged to have committed the offences on August 5, 2014.
Himself and a former staff of NIMASA allegedly conspired to convert money from NIMASA, with the knowledge that same were proceeds of stealing.
