Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — Operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have arrested Dr. Bashir Yusuf Jamoh, former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), in Kaduna State, sparking intense public interest given rumours of his prospective 2027 governorship bid.
Jamoh was intercepted by armed ICPC operatives on Monday while returning from a court engagement in Kaduna, according to multiple sources close to the situation. Officers reportedly searched his residence in Kaduna before transporting him to Abuja for further interrogation.
The anti-graft agency’s move follows a N300 billion corruption petition filed in May 2025 by a coalition of civil society organisations and the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP). The petition alleges systemic financial irregularities during Jamoh’s tenure as NIMASA Director-General from 2020 to 2024, including purportedly inflated leasing costs for speedboats and the unauthorised recruitment of over 500 individuals.
The timing of the arrest has attracted political commentary in Kaduna and beyond. Jamoh is widely viewed as a leading contender in the upcoming 2027 governorship race, and some of his supporters have characterised the ICPC’s actions as politically motivated, suggesting they may be intended to undermine his electoral prospects. “This has the hallmarks of a political plot,” a source close to Jamoh’s camp said, amid speculation that rivals may be exploiting old corruption allegations to stall his momentum.
Beyond the corruption petition, Jamoh’s tenure at NIMASA was previously overshadowed by controversy, including scrutiny over the agency’s financial filings and a significant fine imposed by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria in 2023 related to disputed financial statements.
As of this report, the ICPC has not issued an official public statement on the specific grounds for Jamoh’s arrest or whether formal charges have been filed. His family has expressed concern over his detention, particularly around access to legal counsel and communication, although details remain limited.
The development adds to a broader narrative about high-profile anti-corruption enforcement in Nigeria, where former public officials are increasingly subject to scrutiny by anti-graft agencies. Observers say the outcome of the ICPC investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings involving Jamoh will be closely watched, both for its legal implications and its potential impact on the political landscape ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections.
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