Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, has been accused of receiving a bribe of $1 million, approximately N1.7 billion, in August 2023 from Victor Ochei, a former Executive Director of Operations at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). Ochei was reportedly seeking the position of Managing Director of the agency, as stated by investigative journalist Jackson Ude, who claims to possess an audio recording of the events.
Ude made this assertion in a post on X on Sunday evening. He further noted that other individuals who sought the NIMASA Director-General position allegedly paid between $2 million and $3 million. Although Dayo Mobereola was appointed as the DG NIMASA in March 2024, it remains unclear whether he made any payments to secure the role.
In the audio, Omoua Alonge Oni-Okpaku, a former Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability in Edo State under Governor Godwin Obaseki, claimed to have facilitated a connection between Gbajabiamila and Ochei after meeting him in February 2024. She alleged that she lobbied several individuals close to the President, who received substantial sums in cash to assist Ochei in his bid for the NIMASA position. Among those who reportedly received these cash payments was Pius Akinyelure, a close associate of the President.
Oni-Okpaku mentioned that Ochei, whom she initially met through a journalist acquaintance, provided her with N40 million for transportation, enabling her to make multiple trips to London and Paris to engage with the President’s close associates on Ochei’s behalf. Ultimately, Ochei did not secure the position of NIMASA DG and was not reinstated as a board member.
In response to his unsuccessful bid, Ochei filed a complaint with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging that during his tenure as a public servant, he had given Oni-Okpaku funds intended as a bribe to secure employment.
Oni-Okpaku stated in the audio, “I have no knowledge regarding any financial matters. While I did introduce him to various individuals and advocated on his behalf, I am unaware of any monetary transactions. From what I gathered, if he maintained his connection with the Chief of Staff, another position would be secured for him, which evidently did not occur, leading him to report to the EFCC. I was detained by the EFCC for several weeks, during which I was not permitted to make phone calls. They searched my vehicle, confiscated my passport, and discovered $30,000. They alleged that this amount was part of the funds given to me by Ochei.”
“I cannot specify the exact amount Victor Ochei expended, but I am aware that he did spend money voluntarily. He mentioned his intention to invest around one million dollars, as others vying for the position had spent between two to three million dollars, and I advised him to allocate a similar amount. He corroborated this during our interview with the EFCC.”
Ude remarked that “while Oni-Okpaku has been enduring detention and responding to inquiries at the EFCC, Ochei and others have been at liberty.” Efforts to reach Ochei for comment were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
Share this story and listen to the podcast here.
Create wealth, live healthily, look good, and be knowledgeable. You deserve this life! do not hesitate. visit our market place today.