By Taiye Odewale
Abuja
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, yesterday commenced investigations into the alleged pilfering in vessels belonging to Lifeline Maritime Nigeria Limited and Braza Oil Nigeria Limited.
The Company is asking that the Minister of Defence, who has supervisory authority over the Nigerian Navy to pay the sum of $29,283,500 (N1.2 billion) and N8,730,000.00 for the “wanton and criminal vandalisation and destruction of our clients’ ships MT FOLMAG BOND and MT BESKID and the expenses and losses attendant thereto.”
In a petition brought to it by his legal adviser, Mike Ozekhome, stated that the owners of a 2,500 metric tons of coastal ship tankers known as “MT FOLMAG BOND” was docked outside bar in Warri waters when pirates attacked and shot one of their crew member.
He added that the police advised the Nigerian Navy to release the vessel to its owner as nothing incriminating was found against it and that it was not linked to any crime.
According to Ozekhome: “When our clients went back to take possession of his ship, he discovered to their horror and shock that MT FOLMAG BOND had been 100 percent vandalised by the Navy beyond economic repairs and utility.”
He added that following these setbacks and economic impecuniosities, his clients was compelled to write a petition dated 17th November, 2015 to the Minister of Defence, where his clients were invited to attend a meeting at the Central Naval Command, Yenagoa to explain his side of the story.
In his submission, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Samuel Anyanwu (PDP Imo East), said the committee would invite the Ministry of Justice, EFCC, Nigerian Navy to come and explain their own side of the story because according to him, “without their own side the committee cannot give a valid judgment on the allegation”.
