The Federal Government of Nigeria has arraigned a vessel, MT Kali and 23 suspected oil bunkerers before an Abuja Federal High Court over alleged economic sabotage.
The vessel named MT Kali (IMO: 8782800) was arraigned along with its 23 crew members and a company on 9-count charge before Justice Emeka Nwite.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/18/2024, they were alleged to have on January 11, 2024, at the Chevron Wellhead Offshore Ekeni and Ezeotu communities in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State, wilfully tampered with Chevron Wellhead for the transportation of crude oil within Nigeria Exclusive Economic zone without lawful authority, an offence punishable under Section 1(7) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004.
They were also said to have on the same day, conspired among themselves and siphoned about 119,000 litres of crude oil without appropriate license contrary to Section 1(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004 and punishable under Section 7(17) of the same Act.
The Federal Government, through the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, further accused the defendants of turning off the Automatic Identification System in order to avoid detection by the Nigerian Navy, a maritime offence, contrary to Section 10 of the Suppression of Privacy and Other Maritime Offences Act 2019 and punishable under Section 12 of the same Act.
A private company, SASNA Global Resources, Ayokunle Eniola and David Adeboye were in count 8, accused of unlawfully engaging in petroleum, and without license or permit, stored 119,000 litres of crude oil in MT Kali Cargo Tanks contrary to Section 228(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and punishable under Section 297 of the same Act.
The suspects were also accused of unlawfully removing, destroying and damaging a facility used for petroleum operations to siphon 119,000 litres of crude oil into MT Kali cargo tanks contrary to Section 228(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and punishable under Section 297 of the same Act.
The MT Kali Vessel was separately charged with concealment of information that could have led to arrest of its crew contrary to Section 16(5) of the Suppression of Privacy and Other Maritime Offences Act 2019.
However, all the accused persons who were brought to court by fully armed soldiers pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Apart from the MT Kali vessel and SASNA Global Resources, other defendants in the charges are Ayokunle Eniola, David Adeboye, Eze Chinedu Promise, Albert Ifeoluwa, Sienna Ohwobeuvghe, Sam Effiong Wisdom, Asuma Chidozie, Ita Etim Eyoh and Joseph Omale Victor.
The rest are Abel Ken Diebou, Victor Okoro, Ejiro Melford, Ishola Godwin Segun, Gabriel Okain, Felix Maku, Perenanabofa Abraham, Tomone Ikiokenneghen, Oruebu Amas, Richard Debor, Brakemi Felix Idolo, Famous Abraham, Samuel Ebiyekekeon and Akpodowel Ebgeriebelewe.
The charge was signed by Abubakar Mohammed Babadoko, a Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice on behalf of the AGF.
Meanwhile, Justice Emeka Nwite has ordered that all the defendants be taken to prison on remand pending the hearing and determination of their applications for bail.
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