A prosecution witness, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, on Thursday told a Federal High Court Lagos, that no agreement was drafted in the contract awarded by Raymond Omatseye.
Omatseye, former Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), is standing trial on an amended 27-count charge bordering on alleged diversion of public funds and contract splitting. Witnesses have been telling the court several stories of how the former DG stole the nation blind while he held sway at the organisation.
Ibrahim, an investigating police officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), was led in cross examination by defence counsel, Mr Kola Awodehin.
He told the court presided over by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, that investigations revealed that no agreement was drafted in the contract awarded by Omatseye.
He said that the accused had issued publications in the Punch and Vanguard dailies in 2009, for tenders to supply a 200 kVA generating set to NIMASA, and seven companies had bided for the contract.
He said that letters for award of the contract, were written in form of Memo and delivery notes, and this clearly stated that the award must be subject to a legal agreement between the parties within seven working days.
The witness told the court that despite the provisions of the memo, no agreement was signed between NIMASA and the contractors. According to Ibrahim, the following month, the contractors were informed that the
contract had been awarded to “Omatseye Nig. Ltd.
He said that when a team of investigating police officers visited NIMASA, some staffs of the Administration Department took to their heels, deserting the company.
“I was however, able to interrogate one Matthew, the company secretary, who confirmed that no agreement was signed in the contract to authenticate it.
Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia adjourned the case to tomorrow for continuation of hearing.
