Ayo-Vaughan also said it was not within the power of Ogalla to award oil bunkering contracts, adding that only the NNPCL had such power.
By Jeffrey Agbo
The Nigerian Navy has debunked allegations levelled against Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, labelling them as unfounded and baseless.
An online news medium recently accused Ogalla of involvement in facilitating unauthorised bunkering of crude oil and engaging in multimillion-naira contract-splitting fraud.
According to the report, Ogalla was also implicated in the release of several oil tankers previously seized for transporting stolen crude oil off Nigerian shores, allegedly after receiving substantial kickbacks.
Following these allegations, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, pledged to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
However, the Nigerian Navy on Saturday issued a statement refuting the accusations against Ogalla.
Director of Information for the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, clarified that the vessels mentioned in the report were apprehended for involvement in crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering.
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Contrary to the claims made, Ayo-Vaughan emphasised that the vessels have not been released as alleged.
The statement read, “The allegations that the Chief of the Naval Staff accepted over $170 million in bribes as well as alleged involvement in multi-billion naira contract splitting fraud in the last six months are untenable, baseless, and untrue.
“Firstly, there are clear procedural requirements for the arrest, detention, and release of any vessel or persons found culpable in the maritime environment.
“It is not until these processes are duly concluded that such vessels are released to the appropriate prosecuting agencies for further action.
“Indeed, all arrested vessels mentioned in the publication that were involved in crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering are being investigated and none of such vessels has been released as alleged. ”
Ayo-Vaughan also said it was not within the power of Ogalla to award oil bunkering contracts, adding that only the NNPCL had such power.
He said those feeling the heat of the several operations by the Navy were behind the blackmail against Ogalla.