MAJOR LEGAL VICTORY: Nigerian Court Orders Forfeiture of Illegal Crude Oil Vessel to Federal Government
ABUJA/Nigeria: In a significant victory for Nigeria’s fight against oil theft, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), in collaboration with the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), has achieved a milestone judgment. The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the forfeiture of the illegal crude oil vessel, MT Kali, and its contents to the Federal Government.
According to the court documents of Charge NO. FHC/ABJ/CR/18/2024 B/W: INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE V. MT KALI & 22 ORS, the vessel and its 22 crew members were arraigned before Justice J.O. Abdulmalik. Notably, this marks a rare instance where oil thieves and their accomplices face prosecution.
Justice Abdulmalik granted the motion for the interim forfeiture of MT Kali and its contents to the Federal Government. However, the arraignment of the suspects faced a setback as they were not produced in court by the office of the Chief of Defence Staff.
Efforts by the prosecuting counsel to secure the attendance of the defendants for arraignment proved unsuccessful. The court issued a stern warning that the charge might not proceed beyond the next adjournment date should the prosecution fail to ensure the presence of the defendants.
The operation leading to the arrest of the illegal oil bunkering vessel was executed by operatives of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, in conjunction with a special security task force established by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, on January 11th, 2024.
MT Kali was apprehended while siphoning crude oil from the Pennington Oil field operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Bayelsa State.
The prosecution of this case underscores the commitment and diligence of Tantita operatives, led by Executive Director of Operations and Technical Services, Captain Warriedi Enisuoh, alongside a team assembled by Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun.
Egbetokun directed the Police Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (IGP-STFPIB), led by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Lot Lantoh Garba, to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
Intensified investigations led to the subsequent arrest of another illegal bunkering vessel, MT HARBOR SPIRIT, on February 4th. This Moldovian vessel was caught red-handed stealing crude oil from the Sengana oilfields in the coastal region of Bayelsa State.
Operatives of Tantita, in collaboration with the IGP-STFPIB, coordinated the investigation and prosecution efforts. MT Harbor Spirit and its crew members are set to be arraigned in court on Friday, March 1st, 2024.
