Adeyanju petitions EFCC over NIMASA’s unfinished projects at NMU

Prominent lawyer and human rights activist Deji Adeyanju has filed a petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), urging an investigation into alleged mismanagement of funds by the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) under Bashir Jamoh, former Director-General of the agency.

The allegations centre on the uncompleted Senate building project at the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko, Delta State.

The petition, obtained by our reporter, accuses Jamoh and an unnamed contractor of misappropriating funds allocated for the construction of the university’s Senate building. Despite the disbursement of substantial funds, the project remains incomplete. Calls and a text message to the former NIMASA DG for his comment were not responded to as of the time of publishing this report.

The activist has urged the EFCC to investigate the matter thoroughly and hold the alleged perpetrators accountable.

See the full letter below:

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This isn’t the first controversy surrounding the Nigerian Maritime University. In 2021, the institution faced accusations of fraud involving multiple unexecuted projects. These included contracts for a ship-building facility, maritime equipment, and ancillary structures, all allegedly paid for but never delivered.

A report from the Auditor-General of the Federation in 2015 flagged the Senate building as one of several incomplete projects, prompting recommendations for a comprehensive EFCC investigation. The Senate Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Senator Matthew Urhoghide, has also weighed in, citing NIMASA’s repeated failure to respond to invitations to defend their actions.

The ongoing allegations highlight systemic lapses in the administration and execution of public projects, with calls growing louder for transparency and accountability in handling government funds.