The All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Timipre Sylva, have accused the election petition tribunal in Abuja of bias in the case challenging the re-election of Governor Duoye Diri and his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrujakpo, in the Bayelsa State governorship poll. The APC and Sylva have demanded the disbandment of the current tribunal panel led by Justice Adekunle Adeleye and the constitution of a new panel.
Following the announcement of Diri as the winner of the November 11, 2023 governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, Sylva and the APC approached the tribunal to challenge the declaration. At the last proceedings, Sy
Navy Apprehends Ghanaian Vessel Carrying Two Million Litres of Stolen Crude Oil.
The Nigerian Navy, operating under Operation Delta Sanity, has successfully arrested a Ghanaian vessel and its 13 crew members for their alleged involvement in crude oil theft. The crew consisted of one Ghanaian and twelve Nigerians aboard the Ghanaian-owned and registered vessel called Motor Tanker SWEET MIRI.
Rear Admiral Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, the Director of Information for the Navy, made this announcement in a statement released on Monday in Abuja. The operation took place on February 25, approximately 320 kilometers off the coast of Nigeria, as the vessel was heading towards Benin Republic. In an attempt to evade detection, the vessel had switched off its Automatic Identification System.
The Nigerian Navy identified the vessel as a “Vessel of Interest” due to its violation of the International Ships and Port Security Code. The navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness infrastructure detected the vessel’s suspicious activities, prompting the deployment of two navy ships, namely Nigerian Navy Ship ABA and Nigerian Navy Ship SOKOTO, to intercept and investigate the vessel.
Upon inspection and subsequent arrest, it was revealed that the MT SWEET MIRI was carrying around two million liters of product suspected to be crude oil without any approval from the relevant authorities. The Nigerian Navy has informed the appropriate agencies responsible for approving and prosecuting such cases, who will collect samples for further investigation to determine the vessel’s culpability.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has directed a comprehensive and independent investigation into the matter, aiming to expose those who seek to harm the nation’s interests. Rear Admiral Ayo-Vaughan assured that the Navy, through Operation Delta Sanity, will continue to collaborate with maritime, security, and law enforcement agencies to closely monitor and interdict any suspected infractions. This coordinated effort aims to bring economic saboteurs to justice in accordance with the applicable laws of the land.