A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has ordered the interim forfeiture of an illegal crude oil vessel, MT Kali and its contents to the Federal Government as the arraignment of the crew members was stalled due to the failure of the Chief of Defense Staff to produce them in court
The Court presided by Justice J.O. Abdulmalik handed down the judgement in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/ CR/18/2024 between the Inspector General of Police and MT Kali &22 Ors, on Monday.
The Police had arraigned the vessel and its 22 crew members before the court.
Efforts by the prosecuting counsel to convince the court to issue a production warrant to be served on the military authorities for the production of the defendants on 18th March, 2024 being the next adjournment date or at least the issue of defendants’ summons to be served on the defendants through the military authorities proved abortive.
The court, however, sternly warned that the charge may not survive beyond the next adjournment date should the prosecution not secure the attendance of the defendants for their arraignment and plea.
It would be recalled that the vessel, MT Kali was arrested by Operatives of TANTITA Security Services Limited in collaboration with the Special Security Task Force set up by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral, Emmanuel Ogalla on January 11.
The vessel was alleged to be stealing crude oil from the Pennington Oil Field of the Anglo-Dutch energy giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Bayelsa State.
Twenty crew members, including connivants from the Community were arrested in the operation.
The Moldovian vessel was allegedly caught while stealing crude oil from Sengana oilfields in the coastal axis of Bayelsa State.
The investigation and prosecution of the two bunkering ships and their crew members were being diligently coordinated by Enisuoh and the Head, Investigation, IGP-STPIB, Mr. Omar John Sini, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).
It was gathered that MT Harbor Spirit and members of her crew are to be arraigned in court on Friday, March 1st, 2024.
