EFCC COMMENCES INVESTIGATION OF 13 SUSPECTED OIL THIEVES IN LAGOS

Read Time:1 Minute, 15 Second

Investigators from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have started looking into 13 alleged oil thieves as well as the vessel MT SWEET MIRI, which the Nigerian Navy’s NNS Beecroft in Apapa, Lagos State, turned over to the Commission.

The suspects’ identities are Abu Smith, Pascal Anyafulu, David Ali, Mba Okpanu, Chukuma Friday Obiazi, Miye Victor, and Richard Kofi, according to a statement released by EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale on Monday.

COURT GRANTS EFCC ORDER TO FREEZE 1,146 ALL SUSPICIOUS ACCOUNTS

Monday Aidenagbon, David George, Boma Robinson, Onos Edemefe, Suleiman Aremu, and Dele Olayemi are the others.

On February 27, 2024, Nigerian Navy personnel seized and detained the ship and her crew on suspicion of illicit oil bunkering and violating the Automatic Identification System (AIS).

Around 1,322 metric tonnes of material “confirmed to bear the attributes of crude oil without any document permitting her to be in possession of the substance” were loaded onto the ship.

On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, Moses Awolusi, Head, Extractive Industry Fraud Section (EIFS), gave the Navy the assurance that the suspects and the exhibits would be the focus of additional inquiries and legal action upon receiving the crew members, vessel, and merchandise.

He also expressed his appreciation for the Navy’s cooperation with the EFCC and the positive working relationship the two organisations had built over the years.

The accused will face charges in court as soon as the investigations are finished, according to the anti-graft agency.