• Tue. Feb 18th, 2025

CRUDE THEFT: FG Demands $15m From MT HEROIC IDUN As Restitution Before Release

Byadmin

May 11, 2023

The Federal Government is insisting that the owners of Motor Tanker (MT) HEROIC IDUN, must pay the sum of 15 million US Dollars, about N6.92 billion as restitution for engaging in illegal bunkering in the nation’s waters before the vessel and her crew would be allowed to go.

After a plea bargain was reached, the owners of the rouge vessel agreed to pay 5 million naira as penalty for the charge and 15 million dollars as restitution to the country.

The Nigerian Navy said the amount had not been paid into the coffers of the Federal Government as at the time of filing this report

Recalled that MT HEEOIC IDUN and her crew were arrested nine months ago, in Equatorial Guinea, after a failed attempt to lift crude oil from Nigeria waters without clearance. Consequently, the vessel crew raised false alarm that pirates were pursuing it.

The arrested foreign super tanker and it’s crew were later brought to Nigeria to face the laws of the land.

The Federal Ministry of Justice, had in December 2022, said the 27 crew members of rogue vessel, MT Heroic Idun, were arraigned at the Federal High Court Five, Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

The Nigerian Navy also said the vessel that attempted to load Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) at the Akpo Oil Terminal without authorisation, was in its custody even as it dismissed attempts by some interest groups to distract the prosecution of the offenders. Thus bringing to an end rumours that the ship and her crew had been released.

The 27 Crew who are all foreigners were arraigned on a three count charge of conspiracy, stealing and attempting to deal in crude oil.

The Naval Authority insisted that the vessel evaded which was arrest on August 12, 2022, committed several infractions including attempt to deal in export crude without a license, entering the restricted zone around an oil field without authorization and falsely accusing a Nigerian Navy Ship of piracy.

Speaking on Monday after commissioning various housing projects in Lagos, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, said the ship and her crew would not be allowed to go untill all agreement reached in the plea bargaining were met by the owners of the vessel.

Vice Admiral Gambo said the successful arraignment and conviction of Motor Tanker HEROIC IDUN and her crew arrested last August, sentenced after a plea bargain to pay 5 million naira as penalty for the charge and 15 million dollars as restitution to the country, is a resilient indication that the Nigerian Navy as the nation maritime sentinel will stop at nothing to ensure the domain is safer for sustainable development of the nation’s Blue Economy.

“It is to be noted that the vessel and crew will not be released until the penalty and restitution are paid as well as public apologies made in the print and electronic media in Nigeria and Llyod’s list. We must all be encouraged by this and many other achievements of the Nigerian Navy, regardless of unguarded comments and utterances from unpatriotic individuals” he said.

By admin

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