Maritime Academy boss dies after minister ordered probe of N18bn expenditure

 

The Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Joshua Okpo, is dead.

Okpo is said to have died of a yet unknown cause today, December 9, 2015, while on a business trip to Abuja, according to Premium Times.

His death comes just weeks after Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi ordered a probe into the academy’s affairs.

Okpo was also reportedly expected to appear before the National Assembly today to discuss the academy’s budget.

He was said to have been found dead at his residence in Abuja after his absence at the Assembly led staff to go searching for him.

Amaechi ordered the probe with regards to N18 billion in payments made to the institution by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in the last five years after allegations of financial recklessness and large scale fraud were levelled against Okpo.