By Yusuf Olukokun
Economic Financial Crimes Commission have opened the investigation file of 13 suspected thieves and an oil vessel with the inscription: MT SWEET MIRI which was handed over to the commission by Nigerian Navy NNS, Beecroft, Apapa, Lagos State.
In the statement released on Monday, EFCC Spokesperson, Mr. Dele Oyewale released the names of the suspected thieves and they are: Abu Smith, Pascal Anyafulu, David Ali, Mba Okpanu, Chukuma Friday Obiazi, Miye Victor and Richard Kofi.
Others involved are: Monday Aidenagbon, Dele Olayemi, Boma Robinson, David George, Onos Edemefe and Suleiman Aremu.
The suspected thieves and the vessel were intercepted and arrested on 27th February 2024, by the Nigeria Navy for alleged illegal oil bunkering and Automatic Identification System(AIS) Infractions.
The vessel was reported to have loaded 1,322 metric tonnes of substance without any viable documents showing the permission for accessing such substance.
Mr. Dele Oyewale commended the anti-graft agency of Nigerian Navy for swiftly responding to oil insecurity issues and how the EFCC and the body have had a working relationship over the years. He also assured them that the suspects would be prosecuted.