Federal Government Charges 23 Oil Bunkerers and MT Kali Vessel with Economic Sabotage in Abuja Court

In an Abuja Federal High Court, the Federal Government has charged 23 accused oil bunkerers and the ship MT Kali with economic sabotage.

Judge Emeka Nwite arraigned the ship MT Kali (IMO: 8782800) along with 23 of its crew members and a firm on a nine-count accusation.

According to the charge numbered FHC/ABJ/CR/18/2024, they were accused of wilfully tampering with the Chevron Wellhead for the transportation of crude oil within the Nigeria Exclusive Economic Zone without lawful authority on January 11, 2024, at the Chevron Wellhead Offshore Ekeni and Ezeotu communities in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State. This offence is punishable under Section 1(7) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004.

Additionally, it was claimed that on the same day, they banded together and stole approximately 119,000 litres of crude oil without proper authorization, in violation of Section 1(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004 and punishable by Section 7(17) of the same Act.

The Federal Government, acting through the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), charged the defendants with violating Section 10 of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act 2019 and Section 12 of the same Act by turning off the Automatic Identification System to evade detection by the Nigerian Navy.

In count 8, a private company named SASNA Global Resources, along with Ayokunle Eniola and David Adeboye, were charged with engaging in petroleum activities unlawfully and storing 119,000 litres of crude oil in MT Kali Cargo Tanks without a licence or permit. This is in violation of Section 228(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, which carries a fine of $297.

Additionally, the suspects were charged with violating Section 228(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and Section 297 of the same Act by forcibly dismantling, demolishing, and damaging a facility used for petroleum operations in order to funnel 119,000 litres of crude oil into MT Kali cargo tanks.

Separate charges were brought against the MT Kali vessel for allegedly violating Section 16(5) of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act 2019 by withholding information that would have led to the crew's detention.

All of the accused, who were escorted to court by armed troops, entered not guilty pleas to the charges.

The other defendants, in addition to the MT Kali vessel and SASNA Global Resources, include Ayokunle Eniola, David Adeboye, Eze Chinedu Promise, Albert Ifeoluwa, Sienna Ohwobeuvghe, Sam Effiong Wisdom, Asuma Chidozie, Ita Etim Eyoh, Joseph Omale Victor, Felix Maku, Perenanabofa Abraham, Tomone Ikiokenneghen, Oruebu Amas, Richard Debor, Brakemi Felix Idolo, Famous Abraham, Samuel Ebiyekekeon, Ejiro Melford, Ishola Godwin Segun, Gabriel Okain, and Felix Maku.

Abubakar Mohammed Babadoko, a Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, signed the charge on behalf of the Attorney General.

Judge Emeka Nwite has mandated that the defendants be placed in custody on remand until their bail applications are heard and decided.