The Nigerian Navy has rebuffed allegations levied against Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, labelling them as unfounded and baseless.
An online media publication, in a recent report, accused Vice Admiral Ogalla of involvement in facilitating unauthorised bunkering of Nigerian crude oil and engaging in multimillion-naira contract-splitting fraud.
According to the report, Ogalla was also implicated in the release of several oil tankers previously seized for transporting stolen crude oil off Nigerian shores, allegedly after receiving substantial kickbacks.
Following these allegations, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, pledged to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
However, the Nigerian Navy has issued a statement refuting the accusations against Ogalla. Rear Admiral Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, the Director of Information for the Nigerian Navy, clarified that the vessels mentioned in the report were apprehended for involvement in crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering.
Contrary to the claims made, Ayo-Vaughan emphasised that these vessels have not been released as alleged.
The statement read, “The allegations that the Chief of the Naval Staff accepted over $170 million in bribes as well as alleged involvement in multi-billion naira contract splitting fraud in the last six months are untenable, baseless, and untrue.
“Firstly, there are clear procedural requirements for the arrest, detention, and release of any vessel or persons found culpable in the maritime environment.
It is not until these processes are duly concluded that such vessels are released to the appropriate prosecuting agencies for further action.
“Indeed, all arrested vessels mentioned in the publication that were involved in crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering are being investigated and none of such vessels has been released as alleged. ”
Ayo-Vaughan also said it was not within the power of the Chief of Naval Staff to award oil bunkering contracts, adding that only the NNPCL had such power.
“The CNS does not award or oversee oil bunkering contracts; the award of such is the sole prerogative of NNPCL.
“Also, all contracts awarded by the Navy follow due process in line with the laws of the Federation. The Nigerian Navy and its roles are an offshoot of the constitutional provisions and duly guided by the existing laws and regulations of the land.
“The policing roles of the Navy empowered her to monitor the maritime domain of the nation. These, among others, include the arrest of vessels that contravene any of the maritime laws and the SPOMO Act 2019, ” he added.
He accused some unarmed persons, described as disgruntled elements, who he said were feeling the heat of the several operations by the Navy, of making efforts to blackmail Ogalla.
Ayo-Vaughan added that the elements had believed no individual could confront them, but following the operations, they had been put on their toes, adding that this had resulted in blackmail.
“The Service is aware of the coordinated frantic efforts to blackmail the office and person of the CNS by some disgruntled elements who are feeling the heat of the Nigerian Navy’s renewed vigour to fight crude oil theft and illegalities in the maritime domain, as well as those who have in one way shortchanged the Navy before now.
“Specifically, the continuous rejuvenated operations towards curbing oil theft have given the oil thieves sleepless nights, hence the decision to engage in malicious publications.
It would be recalled that the Nigerian Navy recently launched Operation Delta Sanity, which provided for a holistic, more robust roadmap towards the reinvigorated stance of the NN towards the fight against crude oil theft and other forms of illegalities in the nation’s maritime environment.
“Indeed, the NN is aware of these antics, as is expected considering the current resolve of the NN to engage oil thieves head-on.
The cartel had previously believed no individual could confront its ranks. Fortunately, the recent achievements of the NN in this regard have put them on their heels, hence the resort to cheap blackmail through immoral and compromised online media publishers, ” the statement added.
He also assured Nigerians that the blackmail wouldn’t distract the service in their resolve to deny oil thieves freedom in the country.
“Pertinently, the NN will continue to ensure legitimate businesses in the maritime domain thrive seamlessly.
Also, these distractions will in no way retract the NN’s resolve to confront these criminals, who must be brought to justice for Nigeria’s economy to rebound.
The security and economy of the nation are greater than any group of people who think they must continue to drain the country.
“Accordingly, members of the public are therefore enjoined to completely discountenance the malicious publication because it is totally untrue and completely baseless, being a figment of the shallow imagination of the writer, his publishers, and their unpatriotic sponsors,” he said.
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