The Federal Government has ordered an investigation into allegations of corruption against the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, over deals with oil thieves.
Ogalla is accused of providing security for oil thieves and receiving huge sums in return against the federal government’s touted war against oil thieves.
In a statement by the director of press in the Ministry of Information, Mr Henshaw Ogubike, the Minister of State for Defence, Muhammed Bello Matawalle, called for a thorough and impartial investigation to ascertain the truth of the claims.
He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu has zero tolerance for corruption in the public service.
“Though these allegations might be mischievous, the Ministry of Defence is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability within the Nigerian Armed Forces. The allegations leveled against Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla are serious,” he said.
Speaking on the source of information, he said: “We respect the role of the media in fostering transparency and holding public figures accountable. At the same time, we urge responsible journalism that adheres to the principles of fairness, objectivity and accuracy.
Accusations of this nature can have far-reaching consequences on the reputation of individuals and institutions, and thus, it is crucial to avoid premature judgments.”
The minister assured that the Ministry of Defence would collaborate fully with relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
“We remain committed to the principles of due process and fairness, ensuring that findings will be based on concrete evidence and legal standards.
“It is our collective responsibility to maintain the trust and confidence of the Nigerian people in the institutions that safeguard our nation’s security. We call for patience as the investigative process unfolds and trust that justice will be served in accordance with the rule of law,” he said.
——-MASPAN President Warns Members Against Undermining Nigerian Navy’s Image—
In related development, the President of the Maritime Security Professionals Association of Nigeria (MASPAN); Mr Emmanuel Maiguwa has warned its members regarding the dissemination of information on social media that could compromise the image of the Nigerian Navy.
Maiguwa in a press statement issued over the weekend, emphasized the importance of avoiding the promotion of unfounded allegations, particularly on social media platforms, as it may hinder the collective goal of supporting the Nigerian Navy in addressing maritime crimes.
“While we respect the right to express views on media, the method chosen may compromise our goal of supporting the NN as partners in dealing with crimes within our waters,” Maiguwa stated.
The President reminded members that professional media outlets are adequately trained to investigate and report information to the public, and this responsibility should not be part of the association’s core functions. Instead, he encouraged individuals to share vital information with credible media houses.
In a call for responsible behaviour, Maiguwa urged members to refrain from promoting publications against the Nigerian Navy or its leadership on social media. He emphasized the need to let professional media outlets handle such matters while the association focuses on providing support to the Nigerian Navy.
He added that MASPAN would not hesitate to sanction organizations whose staff consistently engage in actions compromising the Navy’s image without appropriate reprimand.
