How I used part of NIMASA’s N136m to build my hotel - Accused former acting DG spills all in court

macfranc007 February 27, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Buchi Obichie

- A former acting DG of NIMASA, Calistus Obi, has informed a court that he used part of the N136m he allegedly siphoned from the agency to build his hotel

- He disclosed that the building was already functioning; but stated that he had refunded the money back to the EFCC

- His counsel raised an objection over the line of enquiry which led to the admission; but the presiding judge dismissed it

Calistus Obi, an ex-acting director of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), who is being tried for an alleged N136m fraud, has told the Federal High Court, Lagos, that he used part of the money to build his hotel located in Delta state, Punch reports.

Obi is standing trial alongside Alu Dismas, a former personal assistant to Patrick Akpobolokemi, his predecessor.

NAIJ.com gathers that he stated that he however refunded the money after he was held by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

While answering questions from the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, Obi stated: “I used part of the money to build my hotel constructed by Seastroke International. But the money has since been refunded to the EFCC.

“The hotel is located somewhere in Asaba, Delta state. I can’t recollect the address now. The building is completed and is already functioning.

“The title documents of the hotel are being processed but I have the Certificate of Occupancy and I can produce it before the court.”

Following his statement however, an objection was raised by his counsel, Wale Akoni (SAN), who contended that the enquiry by the prosecutor about the title deeds of the property was not a subject before the court.

He said: “My Lord, I am opposed to this line of questioning by the prosecution’s lawyer. The ownership of the hotel is not an issue in these proceedings. The prosecution is only trying to device a means of seizing the title documents through the back door.”

However, the EFCC counsel stated that the witness had already admitted deploying part of the allegedly diverted money to building it, and urged the court to allow him proceed with his line of enquiry.

He stated: “The witness has admitted that part of the funds allegedly diverted by him was used in building the hotel that is now functioning.

“At the end of this case, the law, as it stands today, empowers My Lord to forfeit property acquired with proceeds of unlawful activity.

“Section 30 of the EFCC Act empowers the court to forfeit proceeds of unlawful activity.

“I urge the court to allow us ask questions that will lead to the recovery of the title documents so that it can form part of the court’s record.”

The presiding judge, Mojisola Olatoregun, subsequently ruled that Oyedepo’s questions were in order.

During the hearing, the judge also revoked the bail granted to the second defendant, Dismas, and sent him back to jail, due to his lateness to court.

She stated that the court could not wait for an accused person; noting that he arrived at 10.35am.

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Recall that NAIJ.com previously reported that the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered Calistus Obi to open his defence in a N136 million fraud suit.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had arraigned Obi on an eight-count charge; and the judge, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, gave the order after ruling on a no-case submission filed by the defendant.

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