Barrister Calistus Nwabueze Obi has been removed as Acting Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) after only four days in office.

His appointment, which was announced via a press statement by NIMASA, was reversed yesterday on the orders of The Presidency, a source told News Express.

Obi has been replaced with Mr Baba Haruna Jauro and is expected Obi to revert to his former office of Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services.

The source explained that whereas Obi and Jauro, until yesterday NIMASA Executive Director Finance and Administration, were appointed the same day (July 24, 2012), Jauro first reported for work.

“Going by civil service rules, Jauro is the most senior and is the one who should be Acting DG. The Presidency ordered a correction when it noticed the error,” the source said.

News Express reports that President Muhammadu Buhari upon removing erstwhile NIMASA DG, Dr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, had directed him to hand over to the most senior officer.

“The confusion arose following a letter from the Ministry of Transport, which directed Akpobolokemi to hand over to Obi,” the source told News Express.

Born on May 1, 1964, Barrister Obi, hails from Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. he studied Law at the University of Nigeria Nsukka and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1991 after duly completing the mandatory studies at the Law School. He also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

The Acting DG is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), member of the International Bar Association (IBA), Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators, amongst membership of several other professional associations.

•Photo shows Barrister Obi.

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