EFCC to prosecute nine illegal oil bunkerers arrested by the navy
THE Navy has handed over a sea vessel, OMS OGO, and its crew of nine men to the EFCC for prosecution.
The vessel and the men were arrested by a patrol team from NNS Delta and handed to officials of the South South zone of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), at the Delta base, Warri.
The vessel and nine crew members were arrested when they were caught using a valid permission for the lifting of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to lift AGO. The vessel, which ought to lift PMS was caught in the act loading AGO (diesel) illegally from an undisclosed source.
The vessel was handed over to the EFCC by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman, who said the EFCC has the statutory framework to prosecute the culprits.
The FOC told the EFCC officials led by a Principal Detective Superintendent from the South-South zone, Abdul Hamid Bawa, that once the vessels and men have been handed over, it is now the duty of the EFCC to see to the needs of the arrested men and vessel.
The leader of the EFCC team, Bawa, while accepting the conditions given by the FOC, praised the efficiency of the naval command in tackling criminal activities in the Niger Delta area. He lauded the collaboration between the Navy and the EFCC in the South-South region and promised speedy prosecution of the culprits.
Bawa said the main challenge the EFCC is faced with is the judiciary. He said cases take too long to prosecute.
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