Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) in collaboration with the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has secured a significant victory as the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the forfeiture of the illegal crude oil vessel, MT Kali, and its contents to the Federal Government.
This ruling marks a pivotal moment in the prosecution of oil thieves and their associates, with 20 crew members, including local accomplices, arrested in the operation.
Under Charge NO. FHC/ABJ/CR/18/2024 B/W: INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE V. MT KALI & 22 ORS, the vessel and its 22 crew members were arraigned before Justice J.O. Abdulmalik.
Justice Abdulmalik granted the motion for the interim forfeiture of MT Kali and its contents to the Federal Government. However, the arraignment of the suspects was delayed due to their non-production in court by the office of the Chief of Defence Staff.
Efforts to secure their attendance for arraignment proved futile, leading the court to warn that the charge might not proceed beyond the next adjournment date without the defendants’ presence.
Recall that MT Kali was apprehended by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited operatives, with support from a special security task force established by Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff, on January 11th, 2024. The vessel was caught siphoning crude oil from the Pennington Oil field of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Bayelsa State.
The case is being diligently pursued by Tantita operatives, led by Captain Warriedi Enisuoh, along with a team assembled by Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun.
Egbetokun directed the Police Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (IGP-STFPIB), commanded by Assistant Commissioner of Police Mr. Lot Lantoh Garba, to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile, investigations into the arrest of MT Kali intensified, leading to the subsequent arrest of another illegal bunkering ship, MT HARBOR SPIRIT, on February 4th, by Tantita operatives.
The Moldovan vessel was apprehended while pilfering crude oil from Sengana oilfields in Bayelsa State. The prosecution of both bunkering ships and their crew members is being meticulously coordinated by Enisuoh and Mr. Omar John Sini, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Head of Investigation, IGP-STPIB.
MT Harbor Spirit and its crew members are set to be arraigned in court on Friday, March 1st, 2024.
