The Private security outfit, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), has secured the judgement in Favour of Federal Government and by so doing added another major win for the nation in collaboration with the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) in a landmark judgement, as the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered the forfeiture of an illegal crude oil vessel, MT Kali and its content to the Federal Government.
Similarly while Investigations into the arrest of MT Kali, were being intensified , Tantita yet on the 4th of February arrested another illegal bunkering ship MT HARBOR SPIRIT.
Tantita described the winning story that led to the securing of the judgment as a rear occasion and a first scenario in recent times when oil thieves and their barons are being prosecuted and brought to book as 20 crew members, including community boys’ accomplices, were arrested in the operation.
The Security company noted that the police in the Charge NO. FHC/ABJ/CR/18/2024 B/W: INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE V. MT KALI & 22 ORS, had arraigned the vessel and its 22 crew members before the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice J.O. Abdulmalik.
While Justice Abdulmalik granted the motion for the interim forfeiture of MT Kali & her content to the Federal Government.
However, Tantita revealed that the arraignment of the suspects was stalled as they were not produced in the court by the office of the Chief of Defence Staff.
The company emphatically stated that all 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.
But, Tantita affirmed that the court has 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.
Tantita attested to the fact that the illegal oil bunkering ship was arrested by the operatives of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited in conjuction with the special security task force set up by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, on January 11th, 2024.
According to Tantita, the ship was arrested while siphoning crude oil from Pennington Oil field of the Anglo-Dutch energy giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Bayelsa State.
The operatives of Tantita led by its Executive Director, Operations and Technical Services, Captain Warriedi Enisuoh and a team raised by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun followed the case to a logical conclusion in the spirit of patriotic and dexterity.
Egbetokun had directed the Police Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (IGP-STFPIB) under the command of Mr. Lot Lantoh Garba, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, to launch a discreet investigation into the arrest of the bunkering ship.
The Moldovian vessel was caught while stealing crude oil from Sengana oilfields in the coastal axis of Bayelsa State.
The investigation and prosection of the two bunkering ships and their crew members were being diligently coordinated by Enisuoh and 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.
