Tackling Illegal Oil Bunkering

Illegal oil bunkering is one of the intractable problems of Nigeria. On a yearly basis of illegal oil bunkering are staggering figures of cases released. This is in spite of the efforts of the authorities to check the activities of illegal oil bunkerers. All good citizens of Nigeria should condemn these criminal activities that touch on the economic and social well-being of our country. In the meantime, the Nigerian Navy has handed over three vessels it arrested to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The vessels contain crude oil that was illegally lifted. Speaking in this connection, the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy ship “pathfinder” at the Naval Base in Port Harcourt, Commander Jerry Unaorumhi, said the three vessels: NT Maria Theresa, NT Dominion and NT Onne and their crew members were arrested on September 16, 2010, for economic and maritime related offences.

He said the handing over of the vessels and crew members followed a directive from Naval Headquarters after preliminary investigations. He pointed out that although the handing over had been completed, the Navy would continue to provide the required security for the vessels and the crew members because the EFCC did not have the wherewithal to provide the required security for the vessels. Meanwhile, the EFCC has commenced investigations on the incident. All those guilty of the offence should be given adequate punishment to serve as a deterrent to others who might be tempted to do what the deviants in our midst are doing. No nation will tolerate illegal activities that touch on its socio-economic progress. The relevant authorities must therefore investigate the current case and give those found guilty the prescribed measures. Criminals should allow Nigeria to be at peace. What we want is a crime free society.

Earlier, a Federal High Court sitting in Benin, Edo State, sentenced six Ghanaians and their Nigerian accomplice to eight years imprisonment each for illegal oil bunkering. The charge was brought against them by the EFCC. The convicts were Frank Opoku Anim, Ernest Anim, Wellington Adobah, Kwesi Eminsang, Seth Kpodisime, Abraham Yao Ahiado and their Nigerian accomplice Ochuko Omoreode. They were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and illegal dealing in bunkering 4,000 metric tonnes of petroleum products suspected to be crude oil illegally bunkered in a vessel MT HOPE. Giving his ruling Justice Mohammed Idris found all of them guilty on the two charges and sentenced them on each of the two charges with no option of fine. Before the sentence was pronounced their counsel, Mr Nkire D. Nkire appealed for mild sentence but the judge insisted that crimes that bordered on economic sabotage should not be treated with a slap on the wrist.

Indeed, they deserve the punishment meted out to them. No country should condone criminal activity that touches on the very well-being of its citizens. All those involved, in illegal oil bunkering should look for legitimate means of livelihood instead of getting entangled in acts that amount to economic sabotage in the oil sector. It should be noted that the EFCC has been in the forefront of prosecuting oil bunkering criminals in Nigeria since its inception. The commission should be encouraged so that this criminal activity in the oil sector would be stamped out. No country plays with its economic well-being, Nigeria should not be different.

Thirteen Filipinos were once sentenced to five years imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Benin. They were charged to the court for conspiracy to deal in petroleum products without authorisation. The convicted persons whose ages ranged from twenty-one to fifty-two pleaded guilty to the charge.

Another group of fourteen Filipinos were sentenced to sixty-five years in jail for illegal oil bunkering in 2008. In any case, this criminal activity should be roundly condemned by all those who wish this country well. It is a serious offence for foreigners to leave their countries and come here to carry out criminal activities that touch on our survival as a country. They should be dealt with properly so that others would not follow in their footsteps. Nigeria should not be seen as a place where criminal activities thrive. Criminals who think they could come here and prosper should be given the bitter pill to swallow by our criminal justice system.

If this is done, foreigners will always think twice whenever they are coming to Nigeria to commit crime. We should all make serious efforts to be law abiding citizens at all times so that this country will be free of crime.

Dr Mann Tolofari is a  Distinguished Fellow, Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria, Abuja.

Mann Tolofari