Joshua Okpo has passed away as he was National Assembly awaited his presence for questioning on an alleged corruption scandal running into billions of Naira.
The deceased, Joshua Okpo
The Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron,
Joshua Okpo, is dead and his demise is coming after the current Minister of Transport, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi ordered a probe into the academy’s affairs some weeks ago.
Mr. Okpo died on Tuesday, 9th of December in Abuja, where he had travelled to for an official business of the academy.
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. He was later found lifeless in his room.
The cause of his death is currently unknown which some rumour it to be the tension of the corruption probe compounded by the strictness of the current Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
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.