₦airaland Forum

Coalition petitions Minister of Defence, Urges President Tinubu to Investigate Allegations of Corruption & Oil Bunkering against Naval Chief

A coalition of concerned Nigerians has submitted a petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, raising serious allegations of crude oil theft, contract splitting, procurement fraud, and corruption practices against Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff.

In a petition signed by notable Human Rights Activists and lawyers in the nation, Barrister Pelumi Olajengbesi, Esq, Comrade Deji Adeyanju, Comrade Mohammed Suleiman SK, Barrister Aisha Waliki, Esq and Comrade Ogunwoye Samson, the coalition calls for an immediate investigation into the conduct of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, who is accused of engaging in large-scale corrupt practices.

The coalition, which submitted the petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the Office of the Minister of State for Defense, Hon. Bello Matawalle, expressed deep concern over the alarming allegations. “At a time when the country is grappling with significant revenue losses due to crude oil theft, it is distressing to discover that the Chief of Naval Staff, whose primary responsibility is to safeguard Nigeria's waterways against oil theft and other forms of criminality, is allegedly involved in collusion with the perpetrators of these heinous crimes against the Nigerian state”.

The coalition outlined three primary areas forming the basis of their petition against Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla: Oil theft collusion, Contract splitting & Procurement fraud, and corrupt practices.

Regarding oil theft collusion, the coalition alleges that Naval officers under the direct control of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla have not only participated in the theft of the nation's crude oil but have also provided security to the criminals. They cite specific incidents involving vessels engaged in crude oil theft, such as the MT PRAISEL vessel, where the Nigerian Navy allegedly allowed it to continue patrolling the Nigerian waterways under the protection of Navy officers headed by Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla. The coalition claims to possess evidence, including an authenticated video, showing the Nigerian Navy escorting the MT PRAISEL vessel during the night.

The coalition also highlights incidents involving the MT KALI and MT Tura vessels, where military gunboats purportedly belonging to the Nigerian Navy were seen protecting vessels engaged in crude oil theft. Furthermore, they mention the recent case of the MT VANNALARIS vessel allegedly loading crude oil illegally off Ondo State, with Nigerian Navy personnel preventing a private security firm from boarding or inspecting the vessel.

The coalition emphasizes that the Nigerian Navy's involvement in these cases of crude oil theft is consistent and alarming. They assert that the crude oil theft persists because the Navy, led by Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, is allegedly in collusion with the criminals, and the corruption can be traced to the upper echelons of the Nigerian Navy. To effectively combat crude oil theft or reduce it to a minimum, the coalition insists that Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla must be relieved of his duties.

Regarding the allegation of contract splitting and procurement fraud, the coalition accuses Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla of not only engaging in oil theft but also dipping his fingers into procurement fraud and contract splitting, in violation of Nigeria's procurement laws, particularly the Procurement Act. They provide specific details of 30 contracts awarded by the Nigerian Navy under Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla's command to a single company, with each contract valued at $537,672.45, totaling over 8 billion Naira. Contract splitting, which involves dividing a single contract into smaller pieces to bypass procurement regulations, is expressly forbidden by Section 20(2) of the Procurement Act. The coalition emphasizes that engaging in contract splitting is a criminal offense punishable by a minimum term of five years imprisonment, according to Section 58(1) of the Act.

The coalition calls upon President Tinubu to take decisive action to prevent further economic losses and ensure a thorough investigation into the allegations of corruption by the Chief of Naval Staff.

Additionally, the coalition alleges that Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla has failed to reassign personnel within the Nigerian Navy who are engaged in fraudulent activities. They claim that the Chief of Naval Staff benefits directly from these fraudulent practices and that the oil theft, procurement fraud, and other criminal activities are carried out by Navy personnel under the command of a corrupt Chief of Naval Staff who seeks personal gain at the expense of the nation's resources.

In conclusion, the coalition draws attention to the previous investigations and prosecutions of serving and retired military officers for economic crimes against the Nigerian state during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. They highlight the lingering reputational damage suffered by the military as a result. The coalition implores President Tinubu to address the issues raised in their petition urgently, to prevent further irreparable reputational and economic harm to the nation.

The coalition submitted a well-documented petition that included an ample evidence to support their claims. The evidence was carefully compiled and attached as an annex to the petition.

The coalition remains committed to the fight against corruption and the preservation of Nigeria's resources for the benefit of all citizens.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2024/01/27/coalition-alleges-corruption-oil-bunkering-against-naval-chief-petitions-tinubu%3famp=1

I like that civil society groups are becoming active in this administration and getting the government to act.

In the previous administration, it was as if Nigeria was being run by a log of wood. Surprisingly, young people supported and defended the administration for 8 years.

Tinubu deliberately appointed thieves.

Una go see Fire. A new Sheriff is in town. His name is Emilokan Asiwaju Tinubu Jagaban.

From Head of Navy, to Head of Prisoners

Chicagograduate:
Tinubu deliberately appointed thieves.

You need medical evaluation

Chicagograduate:
Tinubu deliberately appointed thieves.

Just like you. I believe you will be worse.

90% of all oil bunkering in this country is facilitated by security officials.


I'm 100% sure that that pig naval chief is guilty and I pray he gets china treatment in the end.

Public firing squad needs to be reintroduced in this country.

Indeed

APCNig:
You need medical evaluation

tinubu is your god.... that guy blasphemy his name !!! sad reality.

APCNig:
You need medical evaluation

You need a brain transplant

He should be investigated alongside every other person accused of involvement in oil bunkering and other corrupt acts.

Meanwhile theres a criminal above that has been posting consistently on red signpost asking for anyone with US bank account to contact him to be used for scam

Anytime you see a group of Nigerians actively engaged with "fighting corruption" against a person or an institution just know that someone is losing out from their share of the loot or it's not business as usual for some persons.
Nigerians don't "fight corruption" for nothing

Lol, take a closer look at the names of the so called coalition members, and you will understand their mission.


This same foolish, corrupt, tribal-religious coalition didn't tell us about the humongous corrupt practices going on in Nigerian Army under the leadership of Maj. Lagbaja, neither did they bother to dig out the massive corruption in Nigerian Customs and Defense Ministry, na only for Navy where an Igbo man is heading they are screaming fowl play like goats on heat period.


Na only when they see an Igbo person heading a Nigerian government agency or body their tribal body begin to pepper them, but once it's a Hausa-Fulani or Yoruba person leading, no corruption allegation will be dug out until that criminal completes his or her criminal tenure.


The fire weh una want set for Nigeria, e go soon burn all of una, see their yeye names forming civil society coalition my ass, nonsense. sponsored attack to bring down the only Igbo man occupying somewhat good position under Emilokan regime.



Make we see wetin Tinubu go do first, we de watch una, useless tribal-religious bigots

The Nigerian Navy is a criminal organisation. Simple.

Corruption can not arrest or probe corruption.
Sorry what did I type sef? 🤣

This country is a joke.
There is a saying that said, good people never last in the office.
This is exactly what they want to do to this man.
A man with a good heart

Trade with us today…….

Nairaland need to do something on those cursing the president on daily basis here. Since tribal abuse has been removed, the next for them is cursing the president on daily basis. What's the need for all these nonsense. Seun should pls do something on this issue

Cos na igbo man hin be ba. Had it been na northerner dem no go talk

Here in Delta state, it's well known. This is not a new story.
But as usual it will be swept under the rug.

shortgun:
Anytime you see a group of Nigerians actively engaged with "fighting corruption" against a person or an institution just know that someone is losing out from their share of the loot or it's not business as usual for some persons.
Nigerians don't "fight corruption" for nothing

You are a wise man

franchasofficia:
Lol, take a closer look at the names of the so called coalition members, and you will understand their mission.


This same foolish, corrupt, tribal-religious coalition didn't tell us about the humongous corrupt practices going on in Nigerian Army under the leadership of Maj. Lagbaja, neither did they bother to dig out the massive corruption in Nigerian Customs and Defense Ministry, na only for Navy where an Igbo man is heading they are screaming fowl play like goats on heat period.


Na only when they see an Igbo person heading a Nigerian government agency or body their tribal body begin to pepper them, but once it's a Hausa-Fulani or Yoruba person leading, no corruption allegation will be dug out until that criminal completes his or her criminal tenure.


The fire weh una want set for Nigeria, e go soon burn all of una, see their yeye names forming civil society coalition my ass, nonsense. sponsored attack to bring down the only Igbo man occupying somewhat good position under Emilokan regime.



Make we see wetin Tinubu go do first, we de watch una, useless tribal-religious bigots

I cannot hold brief for Ogalla,if he is corrupt he should be investigated,thats our Igbo spirit at play,we love justice. However,we know Nigerians of other tribes will do everything to bring down anything Igbo. When the issue of Tunji Ojo involvment in the Betta Edu case came up,they all lost their voices and it was silenced. They other day, a coalition of Northern groups petitioned against the idea of EFCC calling out their former governors for probe. Just watch the way Emeifele was brought down and yet the main culprits whom swallowed our national patrimony in Buhari's regime are free men working the street. Where is Malami,Tunde Sabiu and a host of other criminals.Even the notorious former minister of humanitarian affairs and the avaition guy that brought us an Ethiopian airline in place of the so called Nigerian airways,are all treated with kid glove.Betta edu was instantly ran down and now they are targetting the naval chief. We are watching with kin interest.

AustineE1:
I cannot hold brief for Ogalla,if he is corrupt he should be investigated,thats our Igbo spirit at play,we love justice. However,we know Nigerians of other tribes will do everything to bring down anything Igbo. When the issue of Tunji Ojo involvment in the Betta Edu case came up,they all lost their voices and it was silenced. They other day, a coalition of Northern groups petitioned against the idea of EFCC calling out their former governors for probe. Just watch the way Emeifele was brought down and yet the main culprits whom swallowed our national patrimony in Buhari's regime are free men working the street. Where is Malami,Tunde Sabiu and a host of other criminals.Even the notorious former minister of humanitarian affairs and the avaition guy that brought us an Ethiopian airline in place of the so called Nigerian airways,are all treated with kid glove.Betta edu was instantly ran down and now they are targetting the naval chief. We are watching with kin interest.

That's exactly my point.


I am not against fighting corruption and boosting out corrupt officials but a situation whereby corrupt government officials from other tribes are allowed to walk free while those from Southeast and Southsouth are hunted down like Lion hunting for Antelope can never be entertained or condoned.


If they truly want to fight corruption let them fight it without tribal-religious sentiments

Zico5:
Nairaland need to do something on those cursing the president on daily basis here. Since tribal abuse has been removed, the next for them is cursing the president on daily basis. What's the need for all these nonsense. Seun should pls do something on this issue

I know you are angry that tribal bashing was removed because that was your speciality. You might have sounded more intelligent if you equally had suggested that there must be an end to any form of insult and basically on the 'peoples' president HE Peter Obi by your ilks loitering over the internet space.

Please brothers and sisters, where were these people when elections were manipulated, where were they when INEC spent all that huge amount of money and still failed the nation, yet no one questioned them till today, what of the judiciary and their judgements, where were you when national assembly people bought such cars
with such amount and you didn't submit any thing to the president, please there is no way you can sweep a house clean with dirty broom, is the same corrupt politicians that appointed them so don't expect gold from heating wood

With their one sided approach against SS and SE citizens,mention one Yoruba or Hausa they call for such. Yoruba propaganda group.

SoNature:
I like that civil society groups are becoming active in this administration and getting the government to act.

In the previous administration, it was as if Nigeria was being run by a log of wood. Surprisingly, young people supported and defended the administration for 8 years.