The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has detained the former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Bashir Jamoh, over allegations of abuse of office.
It was gathered that Jamoh, who led NIMASA from 2020 to 2023, was arrested after he allegedly did not respond to several invitations from the commission following petitions against him.
The source said one petition accused the former NIMASA head of giving himself unfair benefits through fraudulent procurement while in office.
“The ICPC picked him up after he failed to respond to several invitations. He is being investigated for abuse of office during his time at NIMASA,” the source said.
When reached, commission spokesman John Odey confirmed Jamoh’s arrest but did not share details about the allegations.
“I will get back as soon as I have information on the reason for his arrest,” Odey told Daily Trust.
NIMASA is the government agency responsible for regulating and promoting maritime activities in Nigeria.
Its duties include making sure ships and vessels are safe and secure, supporting maritime development, protecting the marine environment, and enforcing maritime laws.
In 2021, Jamoh wrote to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, asking for an investigation into claims of a N1.5 trillion fraud made against him.
This request came after social media activist Jackson Ude accused Jamoh of moving N1.5 trillion into personal accounts and another $9.5 million into a separate account allegedly connected to him.
In his letter to the EFCC, Jamoh requested a “thorough and painstaking” investigation to clear his name and set the record straight.
However, findings showed that the EFCC did not publicly finish any investigation into the matter.
