By Ezra Ukanwa, Abuja

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has vehemently denied involvement in an alleged N1.5 trillion and $9 million corruption scandal that has recently rocked the maritime industry.

Vanguard reports that there has been a video in circulation on social media with allegations against the person of the DG NIMASA making payments of such a humongous amount paid into his personal account.

Reacting in a statement, the Assistant Director, Public Relations, Osagie Edward, on Wednesday, in Abuja, described the allegation as a campaign of calumny by mischief makers against the agency’s DG.

The statement reads in part: “We wish to state categorically that there is no iota of truth in this allegation as this social media post had been earlier circulated over three years ago in 2021.

“It is worthy of note that in 2021, when the allegations were then circulated, NIMASA DG had personally requested the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to investigate it. In the petition he personally signed and dated May 24th, 2021, Dr Jamoh complained that the viral story has impugned his integrity, character and family name.

“This re-circulation of the 2021 video is the handiwork of mischief makers who are bent on misinforming unsuspecting members of the public for interest best known to them and their sponsors.”