The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has confirmed the arrest of no fewer than 4, 606 suspects for various maritime crimes between year 2015 and 2024. Ogalla stated that suspects were arrested in various communities within the riverine areas.
Ogalla said this on Friday while presenting the 3rd distinguished personality lecture at Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies (IPSS), University of Ibadan.
Ogalla, while presenting the paper titled “Role of the Nigerian Navy in Combating Maritime Crimes for Enhanced Blue Economy in Nigeria”, called for the establishment of special courts where suspects who committed maritime crimes would be prosecuted.
He also revealed that between 2015 and 2024, 250 vessels arrested were handed over to prosecuting agencies.
He added that only 82 have been successfully prosecuted, leaving a balance of 168 still in Nigerian Navy custody.
He added that the Navy has demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring a secure environment necessary for the development of the blue economy.
Ogalla said, “Some community leaders justify the criminal behaviour of these criminals. This complicates maritime law enforcement efforts and poses a significant challenge to maritime security.
“It also underscores the urgent need for comprehensive, society-wide solutions to address root causes of maritime criminality, which threatens the successful exploitation of Blue economy potentials in Nigeria.
“The speedy prosecution of maritime crimes will improve data collection and analysis which are crucial for policy and legislative formulation in combating maritime crimes, for the development of the blue economy.
“Between 2015 to date, 250 vessels arrested were handed over to prosecuting agencies, yet only 82 have been successfully prosecuted, leaving a balance of 168 still in Nigerian Navy custody in the last six years.
“The Nigerian Navy has lost a significant number of cases for non-diligent prosecution of maritime suspects by these prosecuting agencies.
“Likewise, over N450 million for legal services are provided for these private lawyers at the expense of essential infrastructure for the service to combat maritime crimes”.