The Nigerian Navy has described the allegations against the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, as untenable and baseless.

A newspaper, The Peoples’ Gazette, had in a report, accused the Naval Chief of facilitating organised bunkering of Nigerian crude and a multimillion-naira contract-splitting fraud.

Ogalla, it claimed, was also accused of releasing several oil tankers impounded for transporting stolen crude oil off Nigerian shores after receiving kickbacks in millions of dollars.

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, had said that the allegations would be investigated.

However, the Nigerian Navy, in a statement by the Director of Information, Rear Admiral Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, denied the allegations against Ogalla.

He said the arrested vessels mentioned in the report were involved in crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering, noting that they have not been released as alleged.

Part of 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 in 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 appropriate prosecuting agencies for further action.

“Indeed, all arrested vessels mentioned in the publication are being investigated and none of such vessels has been released as alleged. ”

Ayo-Vaughan also said it was not within the power of the CNS to award oil bunkering contracts, but the NNPCL.

“The CNS does not award or oversee oil bunkering contracts; the award of such is the sole prerogative of NNPCL.

“Also, all contracts awarded by the Navy follow due process in line with the laws of the Federation. 

“The Nigerian Navy and her roles are an offshoot of the constitutional provisions and duly guided by extant laws and regulations of the land”.

He accused some disgruntled elements who he said were feeling the heat of the several operations by the Navy of making efforts to blackmail Ogalla.

“”The cartel hitherto believed no individual could confront its ranks. 

“Fortunately, the recent achievements of the NN in this regard have put them on their heels hence the resort to cheap blackmail through immoral and compromised online media publishers, ” the statement added.

He also assured Nigerians that the blackmail wouldn’t distract the service in their resolve to deny oil thieves freedom in the country.