The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on President Bola Tinubu to order an investigation into the alleged sale of 82 vehicles by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for N5.8 million over the past 12 years.
The group described the sale as a “clear case of economic sabotage, corruption, and abuse of public trust” and said it must not go unpunished.
HURIWA National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the vehicles were sold at ridiculously low prices to some officials and staff of the agency in a pre-arranged insider trading scheme. He said the proceeds of the sales were not remitted to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) account as required by law.
Onwubiko said he was shocked and disappointed that the NIMASA Executive Director, Mr. Chudi Offodile, could not provide any documentary evidence to justify his claim that the sale followed due process. He also admitted that he was not aware of the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, which is a serious oversight for someone in his position.
HURIWA commended the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee, chaired by Julius Ihonbvere, for exposing the scandal and demanding for more documents and evidence from NIMASA and other agencies involved in the sale of public assets.
The group urged the president to intervene in the matter and order a full-scale investigation by the anti-corruption agencies into the activities of NIMASA and other agencies that have been accused of selling public assets without due process.
HURIWA also called on the president to review his appointments and ensure that they reflect merit, competence, diversity, and federal character, as he promised Nigerians during his campaign.
