Joseph Bakare
The Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, has taken over the investigation of three suspected illegal crude oil dealers, alleged to be dealing in petroleum products without an appropriate license.
The Nigerian Navy Ship , NNS Forward Operating Base Ibaka, handed over the arrested suspects to the EFCC on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The suspects Victory Smart Bassey, Ita Okon and Michael Akpa, were arrested on November 5, 2024 along Ibeno waterways, while on patrol by Naval officers. They were arrested onboard a wooden boat ladened with about 60, 000 litres of petroleum products suspected to be crude oil, conveyed in twelve (12) plastic G-PEE tanks.
While handing over the arrested suspects and the exhibits, the Base Operating Officer, Lieutenant Commander O.Okaula assured that the Navy was duty-bound to ensure safety on the waterways. “The Navy is mandated to ensure that security of our waterways forms part of the constitutional roles to boost economic activities and protect development in the country. On behalf of the Nigeria Navy, I hand over three crew members, wooden boat and suspected crude to the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution’, said Okaula.
While receiving the arrested suspects and exhibit on behalf of the Commission, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE1 Adetona Taiwo who represented the Acting Zonal Director , Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Oshodi Johnson, thanked the Navy for the trust and years of collaboration with the EFCC in the fight against economic and financial crimes. According to him, “proper and thorough investigation will be carried out and the arrested crew members will be charged to court of competent jurisdiction immediately investigations are concluded”