Metro
Alleged N1.5bn scam: Court reserves judgment in trial of ex-NIMASA boss
Judgement in the trial of a former Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Angency, NIMASA, Raymond Omatseye has been reserved by a Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos.
Trial judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, reserved the judgement on Monday after listening to the final addresses of the prosecution counsel, Chief Godwin Obla and the defence counsel, Mr Edoka Onyeke. Thé judge said the date for judgement would be communicated.
Omatseye was dragged before the court over alleged bid rigging and N1.5billion contract scam by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in 2010.
He pleaded not guilty to the 27-count charge and was granted bail on self recognition.
Onyeke, while addressing the court, urged the court to discountenance the arguments of prosecution and dismiss the charge against his client.
According to him, the prosecution was not able to proof its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Onyeke further argued that out of the 27-count-charge against the accused, 25 dealt strictly with the issue of approval of contract above the threshold while the remaining two were on bid rigging.
Read also: ‘NIMASA paid me N72m without contract’
He however noted that the prosecution did not proof that exhibit PD 16, which it relied on in dealing with the issue of threshold, got to NIMASA at the time the contracts were awarded.
Commenting on the allegation of bid rigging, Onyeke argued that by the provision of sections 58 (10) (a) of the Public Procurement Act, the offence of bid rigging could not be committed by a single individual, adding that throughout the length of trial, the prosecution failed to call any witness to proof the alleged collusion of the accused to commit bid rigging.
He therefore parayed the court to discharge and acquit his Client.
The prosecution counsel, Obla, on the other hand, prayed the court to rule that the case of the prosecution was “as clear as daylight, and has been proven beyond reasonable doubt”.
On Onyeke’s arguement on the failure of prosecution to lead evidence as to conspiracy to commit bid rigging, Obla said the facts of the case spoke volumes.
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