The Nigerian Navy on Friday handed over 16 Ukrainians to the officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The Ukrainians were arrested in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State for their alleged involvement in illegal oil bunkering within the Nigerian territorial waters.
Handing over the suspects to the EFCC on board the vessel named San Padre Pio, the Naval Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base, Bonny, Navy Capt. Suleiman Olorundare, explained that the Ukrainians were apprehended in January.
Olorundare maintained that the effort of the Navy was in line with the mandate of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas, adding that the security outfit would not rest on its laurels in ridding Nigerian waterways of all forms of crimes.
He disclosed that the Ukrainian crew and the vessel were without the Cabotage clearance from the Nigerian Maritime Safety and Administration Agency while operating in the Nigerian territorial waters.
“On January 23, 2018, MT San Padre Pio was arrested offshore by our operatives around Odudu Oil Field within our territorial water. It was engaged in illegal trade that contravenes our national law, particularly the Cabotage law.
“We discovered the vessel carried 5000 metric tonnes of product suspected to be Automated Gasoline Oil (diesel) with 16 crews on board; all Ukrainians,” he said.
On why the Navy had to wait till March to hand over the suspects, who were arrested since January, Olorundare added, “There is a procedure that needs to be followed; and it is a standard operating procedure in respect of arrest, detention and handing over for prosecution of crimes like this.
“The Chief of Naval Staff has given us the mandate to maintain zero tolerance for criminal activities within our maritime environment and that mandate we are determine to implement it to the letter.”
Receiving the suspects from the Navy, the Senior Detective Inspector of EFCC, Mr. Aminu Ismail, said more investigation would be carried out by the agency.
Ismail, who took over the vessel and 16 Ukrainians for prosecution, explained that the EFCC would write the Embassy of Ukraine in Nigeria to alert it of its citizens in its custody for allegedly embarking on illegal bunkering in Nigeria
He stated, “We will confirm the authenticity of the products laden in the vessel, after which we will continue with our investigation and if they (suspects) are found wanting, they will be handed over for prosecution according to the Nigerian law.”
Speaking, the Captain of the vessel, Andriy Vaskov, said his company ABCMarine was in the business of offshore discharging and supply of petroleum products.
Vaskov said they lifted the products from Lome to discharge in Nigeria, adding that they have got clearance from the Nigerian Navy to come into the Nigerian waters.
The Ukrainians were arrested in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State for their alleged involvement in illegal oil bunkering within the Nigerian territorial waters.
Handing over the suspects to the EFCC on board the vessel named San Padre Pio, the Naval Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base, Bonny, Navy Capt. Suleiman Olorundare, explained that the Ukrainians were apprehended in January.
Olorundare maintained that the effort of the Navy was in line with the mandate of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas, adding that the security outfit would not rest on its laurels in ridding Nigerian waterways of all forms of crimes.
He disclosed that the Ukrainian crew and the vessel were without the Cabotage clearance from the Nigerian Maritime Safety and Administration Agency while operating in the Nigerian territorial waters.
“On January 23, 2018, MT San Padre Pio was arrested offshore by our operatives around Odudu Oil Field within our territorial water. It was engaged in illegal trade that contravenes our national law, particularly the Cabotage law.
“We discovered the vessel carried 5000 metric tonnes of product suspected to be Automated Gasoline Oil (diesel) with 16 crews on board; all Ukrainians,” he said.
On why the Navy had to wait till March to hand over the suspects, who were arrested since January, Olorundare added, “There is a procedure that needs to be followed; and it is a standard operating procedure in respect of arrest, detention and handing over for prosecution of crimes like this.
“The Chief of Naval Staff has given us the mandate to maintain zero tolerance for criminal activities within our maritime environment and that mandate we are determine to implement it to the letter.”
Receiving the suspects from the Navy, the Senior Detective Inspector of EFCC, Mr. Aminu Ismail, said more investigation would be carried out by the agency.
Ismail, who took over the vessel and 16 Ukrainians for prosecution, explained that the EFCC would write the Embassy of Ukraine in Nigeria to alert it of its citizens in its custody for allegedly embarking on illegal bunkering in Nigeria
He stated, “We will confirm the authenticity of the products laden in the vessel, after which we will continue with our investigation and if they (suspects) are found wanting, they will be handed over for prosecution according to the Nigerian law.”
Speaking, the Captain of the vessel, Andriy Vaskov, said his company ABCMarine was in the business of offshore discharging and supply of petroleum products.
Vaskov said they lifted the products from Lome to discharge in Nigeria, adding that they have got clearance from the Nigerian Navy to come into the Nigerian waters.
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