A Lagos Federal High Court, has admitted evidence brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against former Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency,NIMASA, Mr. Raymond Omatseye, who is standing trial before the court on offences bordering on contract splitting and bid rigging to the tune of about N1.5 billion.
The court presided over by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, admitted the evidence tendered by the EFCC lawyer, Chief Godwin Obla, SAN, who urged the court to admit the evidence as part of exhibit, pointing out that is a public document with certified true copy.
The exhibit tendered by the EFCC was a circular from the Office of the Secretary of the Federation to the Office of the NIMASA DG, dated March 11, 2009 with a caption “Implementation of approved threshold for services wide application and special application to the Federal Ministry of Petroleum for expenditure related to NNPC”.
At today’s proceedings, Chief Obla, under cross examination, SAN, asked Omatseye to explain why he approved a contract to a contractor whose company was not among the qualified companies with above bidding of oN100 to N129 million, and that why was the contract not advertised in the media.
In defence, Omatseye said he was not aware of the circular moreso he cannot gave explanation as to how a contractor bided for one hundred million naira and was awarded one hundred and twenty nine million naira, since some pages was missing in the exhibit presented before him.
Omatseye also denied rigging or splitting contracts at the agency, and that he did not award the contracts single-handedly, but referred them to the governing board for approval. Omatseye also said NIMASA did not know when the Procurement Act, which provides for a tenders board, came into effect, adding that he continued to rely on the governing board for approval of contracts above N5million.
The former NIMASA boss is undergoing trial before Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court in Lagos on an amended 27-count charges of contract scam.
He was accused of contract splitting involving about N1.5 billion, which violates Section 58(4) (d) of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and Section 14(a) of the money laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The matter has been adjourned till December 9 & 10, for continuation of cross examination
The court presided over by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, admitted the evidence tendered by the EFCC lawyer, Chief Godwin Obla, SAN, who urged the court to admit the evidence as part of exhibit, pointing out that is a public document with certified true copy.
The exhibit tendered by the EFCC was a circular from the Office of the Secretary of the Federation to the Office of the NIMASA DG, dated March 11, 2009 with a caption “Implementation of approved threshold for services wide application and special application to the Federal Ministry of Petroleum for expenditure related to NNPC”.
At today’s proceedings, Chief Obla, under cross examination, SAN, asked Omatseye to explain why he approved a contract to a contractor whose company was not among the qualified companies with above bidding of oN100 to N129 million, and that why was the contract not advertised in the media.
In defence, Omatseye said he was not aware of the circular moreso he cannot gave explanation as to how a contractor bided for one hundred million naira and was awarded one hundred and twenty nine million naira, since some pages was missing in the exhibit presented before him.
Omatseye also denied rigging or splitting contracts at the agency, and that he did not award the contracts single-handedly, but referred them to the governing board for approval. Omatseye also said NIMASA did not know when the Procurement Act, which provides for a tenders board, came into effect, adding that he continued to rely on the governing board for approval of contracts above N5million.
The former NIMASA boss is undergoing trial before Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court in Lagos on an amended 27-count charges of contract scam.
He was accused of contract splitting involving about N1.5 billion, which violates Section 58(4) (d) of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and Section 14(a) of the money laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The matter has been adjourned till December 9 & 10, for continuation of cross examination
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