NIMASA DG; Akpobolokemi Lobbies Judges On Speedy Prosecution of Pirates, Oil Thieves

NIMASA DG; Akpobolokemi Lobbies Judges On Speedy Prosecution of Pirates, Oil Thieves   

Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi has sent an appeal to Judges of the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and States High Court on the need to expedite action in prosecuting pirates, oil thieves and other maritime offenses whenever they are apprehended by the agency.

NIMASA DG; Akpobolokemi Lobbies Judges On Speedy Prosecution of Pirates, Oil Thieves   

Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi has sent an appeal to Judges of the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and States High Court on the need to expedite action in prosecuting pirates, oil thieves and other maritime offenses whenever they are apprehended by the agency.

‎The DG made the appeal at the 6th Strategic Admiralty Seminar for Judges organized by NIMASA in Lagos yesterday.

Addressing Judges‎ at the seminar which had in attendance, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, Justice Ibrahim Buba, Mr. Louis Mbanifo (SAN) Mr. Mike Igbokwe (SAN) Mr. Chidi Ilogu (SAN) among other notable Judges and senior advocates, the NIMASA boss lamented that often time when the agency apprehend criminals, they are quickly set free by the court.

He pointed out that the essence of the admiralty seminar which according to him, has been on for six years, is for the exchange of ideas among stakeholders in the maritime sector and to also sensitize the Judges on happenings in the maritime sector.

He said that NIMASA has recognised the complex nature of maritime issues which require speedy resolution, saying that time is of essence in maritime ventures.

‎Speaking further, he said: "One area that I need support is in the area of piracy and crude oil theft, the greatest challenge is that some of the culprits we arrest find themselves out of cell as quickly as‎ we do not intend that to be".

"Today you arrest somebody for piracy sometimes with guns and weapons, the next day you see him on the streets, it endangers our life, it will also dampen the interest of those that are fighting piracy, it will also embolden them to go back and commit same crime and we cannot continue in this direction".

Sounding an appeal to the Judges, Akpobolokemi assured that the agency is ready to amend some of its laws if this will enable it to prosecute maritime offenders adequately. According to him, prosecution is the only deterrent to the scourge of piracy.

 "All of us must work together to change this situation, this is not what only NIMASA can do, it can only be achieved in partnership with the judiciary, if we need to change some of our laws, please inform us to do that, if there are things you want us to do to expedite actions in this area, let us know, because it is only punishment that can act as deterrent to these pirates" he stated.

Akpobolokemi said that NIMASA has what it would take to eliminate most of the pirates it apprehended, but acknowledged that it is against the rule of law to take laws into its hands.

He said NIMASA is putting efforts in place to prepare a Ship Detention Regulation, saying that the agency has prepared a team of NIMASA and the Federal High Court officials to embark on a study visit to the United Kingdom.

The essence of this, according to him, is to interact with sister maritime administrations with the support from members of the bench, so that the best practices obtained in other countries of the world can be reciprocated in Nigeria.

"We cannot run away from detention because, on a steady basis, whether we like it or not, vessels will breach our laws, and when this happens, they will be arrested, and when you arrest a vessel, you should put in place a management culture‎ for the vessel to be detained" he reiterated.

In his welcome address, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta noted that the seminar for Judges was meant for judges and other practitioners to rub minds freely and share experiences in the business of maritime.

He appreciated the NIMASA boss, saying that the seminar will further keep the judiciary abreast of important issues in the maritime sector.

Justice Auta also congratulated the NIMASA DG for his re-appointment for a second time in office, saying that this is commendable and an indication that the NIMASA boss was performing well.

"I want to congratulate you for your extension in office‎, that place is a dangerous place and you coming back is just a testimony of the good work you have been doing".

"Some people are not happy about the works you have been doing, but I know that at the end of your eight years in office, NIMASA will be a better place" he said.

‎The DG made the appeal at the 6th Strategic Admiralty Seminar for Judges organized by NIMASA in Lagos yesterday.

Addressing Judges‎ at the seminar which had in attendance, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, Justice Ibrahim Buba, Mr. Louis Mbanifo (SAN) Mr. Mike Igbokwe (SAN) Mr. Chidi Ilogu (SAN) among other notable Judges and senior advocates, the NIMASA boss lamented that often time when the agency apprehend criminals, they are quickly set free by the court.

He pointed out that the essence of the admiralty seminar which according to him, has been on for six years, is for the exchange of ideas among stakeholders in the maritime sector and to also sensitize the Judges on happenings in the maritime sector.

He said that NIMASA has recognised the complex nature of maritime issues which require speedy resolution, saying that time is of essence in maritime ventures.

‎Speaking further, he said: "One area that I need support is in the area of piracy and crude oil theft, the greatest challenge is that some of the culprits we arrest find themselves out of cell as quickly as‎ we do not intend that to be".

"Today you arrest somebody for piracy sometimes with guns and weapons, the next day you see him on the streets, it endangers our life, it will also dampen the interest of those that are fighting piracy, it will also embolden them to go back and commit same crime and we cannot continue in this direction".

Sounding an appeal to the Judges, Akpobolokemi assured that the agency is ready to amend some of its laws if this will enable it to prosecute maritime offenders adequately. According to him, prosecution is the only deterrent to the scourge of piracy.

 "All of us must work together to change this situation, this is not what only NIMASA can do, it can only be achieved in partnership with the judiciary, if we need to change some of our laws, please inform us to do that, if there are things you want us to do to expedite actions in this area, let us know, because it is only punishment that can act as deterrent to these pirates" he stated.

Akpobolokemi said that NIMASA has what it would take to eliminate most of the pirates it apprehended, but acknowledged that it is against the rule of law to take laws into its hands.

He said NIMASA is putting efforts in place to prepare a Ship Detention Regulation, saying that the agency has prepared a team of NIMASA and the Federal High Court officials to embark on a study visit to the United Kingdom.

The essence of this, according to him, is to interact with sister maritime administrations with the support from members of the bench, so that the best practices obtained in other countries of the world can be reciprocated in Nigeria.

"We cannot run away from detention because, on a steady basis, whether we like it or not, vessels will breach our laws, and when this happens, they will be arrested, and when you arrest a vessel, you should put in place a management culture‎ for the vessel to be detained" he reiterated.

In his welcome address, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta noted that the seminar for Judges was meant for judges and other practitioners to rub minds freely and share experiences in the business of maritime.

He appreciated the NIMASA boss, saying that the seminar will further keep the judiciary abreast of important issues in the maritime sector.

Justice Auta also congratulated the NIMASA DG for his re-appointment for a second time in office, saying that this is commendable and an indication that the NIMASA boss was performing well.

"I want to congratulate you for your extension in office‎, that place is a dangerous place and you coming back is just a testimony of the good work you have been doing".

"Some people are not happy about the works you have been doing, but I know that at the end of your eight years in office, NIMASA will be a better place" he said.