The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC says it has received custody of six suspected oil thieves and a vessel, MV SOA from the Nigerian Navy, Naval Base, Warri, Delta State for further investigation and possible prosecution.According to Navy spokesman, Francis Okoloagu, a lieutenant commander, “the navy ship NNS COBRA, while on patrol July 28, 2013 arrested the suspects on board MT ALLI-RIZA BEY and MV SOA vessels transferring petroleum product suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil to smaller boats offshore Escravos”.He explained that the captain of the ship, MV SOA, had applied to NNS BEECROFT to bunker and its naval clearance by NNS BEECROFT to lift AGO from Calabar to Lagos was valid till August 2013 but MV SOA was found at Escravos which contravenes the Standing Operation Procedures (SOP) and approval granted.
The suspects aboard MV SOA are John Edema, Shina Orisanwo, Bushar Abiodun and Holly Ayenuwa while those arrested aboard MT ALI-RIZA BEY are Victor Olaboyin and Abdulazeez Salahu.
The suspects who were handed over to the commission last Wednesday will be charged to court as soon investigation is completed.