The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has pledged that the allegations levelled against the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, will undergo a thorough investigation.
Matawalle emphasised President Bola Tinubu’s staunch commitment to eradicating corruption within the public sector.
Matawalle’s statement comes in response to a report by an online publication alleging Vice Admiral Ogalla’s involvement in facilitating unauthorised bunkering of Nigerian crude oil and engaging in multimillion-naira contract-splitting fraud.
According to the report, Ogalla purportedly orchestrated the release of several oil tankers that were seized for transporting stolen crude oil off Nigerian shores, allegedly in exchange for substantial kickbacks amounting to millions of dollars.
The online media platform claimed that preliminary investigations suggested Ogalla had accepted bribes exceeding $170 million within a span of six months.
It also referenced log records and videos indicating instances between September 2023 and January 2024 when the Nigerian Navy deployed personnel and gunboats to oversee the loading of stolen crude onto at least four vessels.
In a statement issued Friday night by the Director of Press and Information for the Ministry of Defence, Matawelle stressed the necessity for a comprehensive and impartial investigation to ascertain the veracity of the allegations.
The statement read, “The attention of the Ministry of Defence has been drawn to the recent article published by the People’s Gazette that raises serious allegations against Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
“Responding to the allegation, Matawalle said that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has zero tolerance for corruption in the public service.
“Though these allegations might be mischievous, the Ministry of Defence is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability within the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“The allegations levelled against Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla are serious. Matawalle harped on thorough investigation, saying that it was imperative to emphasise the need for a thorough and impartial investigation to ascertain the truth of these claims.”
He also said accusations of this nature could have a consequence on the reputation of individuals and institutions, urging the citizens to avoid “premature judgements” on the matter.
“We respect the role of the media in fostering transparency and holding public figures accountable.
“At the same time, we urge responsible journalism that adheres to the principles of fairness, objectivity, and accuracy.
Accusations of this nature can have far-reaching consequences for the reputation of individuals and institutions, and thus, it is crucial to avoid premature judgements.
“In the light of the allegations, we assure the public that the Ministry of Defence will collaborate fully with relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
We remain committed to the principles of due process and fairness, ensuring that findings will be based on concrete evidence and legal standards.
“It is our collective responsibility to maintain the trust and confidence of the Nigerian people in the institutions that safeguard our nation’s security.
We call for patience as the investigative process unfolds and trust that justice will be served in accordance with the rule of law, “the statement added.
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