The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has debunked the claims by a human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) that the agency acquired three properties in England.
Recall that Falana had on Friday during an interview on a Channels Television, accused NIMASA of purchasing properties in the United Kingdom in order to accrue dollars.
“NIMASA has just bought three properties in England under this regime. For what? Just to take out dollars. Please, let us run this country in the interest of our people. We are not a poor country, but the government has managed it in such a way that poverty is in ascendency,” he had said.
Falana explained that unless government officials take steps to strengthen the naira and establish it as the sole legal tender in Nigeria, the country’s progress will be limited.
However, in his reaction, the assistant director of public relations of the agency, Mr Osagie Edward, in a statement on Friday, denied the claim.
“Our attention has been drawn to the allegation by Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, levelled against the management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, bordering on acquiring three properties in England under this regime.
“We wish to state that there is no truth in the allegations, as NIMASA did not acquire any property in England, as claimed by Femi Falana. Furthermore, the Agency has not acquired any property in any foreign country in over 30 years.
“While we respect the views of the learned silk on public matters, NIMASA demands that he takes responsibility and retract this false claim.
“We also use this medium to caution that he and other members of the public should verify their facts before going public with any information. The public is hereby advised to disregard the statement by Femi Falana SAN.”
