The Naval Chief has turned on the heat against oil thieves who have now resorted to blackmail to get him off their way.
By Chinenye Eseke
The Enugu State Caucus of the House of Representatives has described the current media smear campaign against the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla as the handwork of the crude oil thieves whose criminal activities have been cut short since he took over the headship of Navy.
A statement signed by the Leader of the caucus, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, on Monday, January 29, after an emergency meeting of members in Abuja at the weekend, emphasized that it was obvious the Naval Chief has turned the heat against the oil thieves who have now resorted to blackmail to get him off their way.
“Vice Admiral Ogalla from records has had a very excellent career in Navy and had not for once been found directly or indirectly involved in any misconduct as an officer,” the statement stressed, affirming that the organized media campaign by the economic saboteurs was to distract him and probably get him off their way.
The Enugu State House caucus said it totally aligns itself with the position of the Naval Headquarters in a statement issued by the Naval spokesman, Rear Admiral Adetokun Ayo-Vaughan which exonerated Vice Admiral Ogalla from all the spurious allegations contained in the media reports.
The Chief of Naval Staff was accused of among other sundry allegations of facilitating unauthorised bunkering of crude oil and engaging in multimillion-naira contract-splitting fraud and the release of several oil tankers previously seized for transporting stolen crude oil off Nigerian shores,
Nnaji in the statement equally urged the Naval Chief not to be deterred by the attacks on his person and office from carrying out the work of protecting the oil economy of the country adding that Nigerians would stand with him as long as he remained committed to his duties.
In its reaction, the Nigerian Navy described the allegations against the CNS, as “untenable, untrue and baseless.”
The Peoples’ Gazette, had in a report, alleged that the CNS was aiding and abetting organised illegal bunkering of Nigerian crude oil and contract-splitting fraud.
Ogalla was further accused of releasing several oil tankers impounded for transporting stolen crude oil off Nigerian shores after receiving bribe.
In his reaction, minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, said that the allegations would be investigated.
The Nigerian Navy, in a statement by the director of information, Rear Admiral Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, described the allegations against Ogalla as “baseless, untenable and untrue”
“The allegations that the Chief of the Naval Staff accepted over $170 million in bribes as well as alleged involvement in multi-billion naira contract splitting fraud in the last six months are untenable, baseless and untrue.
“Firstly, there are clear procedural requirements in the arrest, detention, and release of any vessel or persons found culpable in the maritime environment.
“It is not until these processes are duly concluded that such vessels are released to appropriate prosecuting agencies for further action.
“Indeed, all arrested vessels mentioned in the publication are being investigated and none of such vessels has been released as alleged. ”
Ayo-Vaughan explained that it was not within the power of the CNS to award oil bunkering contracts but the NNPCL.
“The CNS does not award or oversee oil bunkering contracts; the award of such is the sole prerogative of NNPCL.
“Also, all contracts awarded by the Navy follow due process in line with the laws of the Federation.
“The Nigerian Navy and her roles are an offshoot of the constitutional provisions and duly guided by extant laws and regulations of the land. The cartel hitherto believed no individual could confront its ranks.
“Fortunately, the recent achievements of the NN in this regard have put them on their heels hence the resort to cheap blackmail through immoral and compromised online media publishers.”
He assured Nigerians that the blackmail wouldn’t distract the Navy in their resolve to deny oil thieves freedom to ste the country’s crude oil.
