By Lawal Adenike
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Port Harcourt Zonal Command, Rivers State, has questioned twenty five suspected oil thieves for their alleged involvement in illegal oil bunkering.
The suspects, on Wednesday, were handed over to the anti-graft agency — alongside two vessels: MT Bright Hope and MV Johanna II — by the Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Bonny Island, Rivers State.
This was contained in a statement by the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, as reported by The PUNCH.
According to the statement, 12 of the suspects were arrested on board MV Johanna II on July 14, 2021 around IMA Oil Terminal, Bonny Island, while the remaining 13 suspects were arrested on board MT Bright Hope on September 10 offshore Bonny Island.
One of the suspects arrested with a vessel is a Ghanaian with some who are captains of two vessels: Kenneth Ekpo and Moses Baron.
Others include Lucky Onome, Edmund Asari Joseph, Asuquo Okon, Itoro Effiong, Sunday Obonla, Melcm Agobiam, Imoh Timothy, Godfriend Bartheolomew, Promise Emmanuel and Patrick Oliseneku.
“Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE Arasah Shaka took over the suspects and the vessels on behalf of the EFCC.
“He commended the Navy for its synergy with the EFCC and tireless efforts and commitment towards ridding the country of illegal oil activities.
“He also assured that further investigations would be done and the culpable suspects charged to court accordingly,” the statement added.
