The scale of detentions without
trial by the Nigerian navy is far bigger than previously reported as new facts
continue to emerge.
Most of the arrests were carried
out over suspicion of illegal bunkering — selling oil on the high seas without
licence — and allegations of oil theft.
However, the suspects are
supposed to be handed over to the appropriate authorities — such as the police
and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) — for trial.
TheCable reports that not only
has the navy continued to hold suspects without trial, there is emerging
evidence that the number of those being held indefinitely might be in hundreds.
DETAINED FOR TWO YEARS
In February 2017, a vessel named
Singapore Inspector was arrested in Lagos with the crew members identified as
Fasanya Oladele Samuel, Raji Taofik and Fatunmbi Akinkunmi James.
Also on the list are: Paul Obi,
Grace Inyang, Emmanuel Eze, Ogberugba Odafe, Emomotimi Festus, Firstman Job,
Sokaribo Nelson, Akpoviri G. Ebbah, Sikiru Adekoya, Okechukwu Victor and
Olajide Enigbewo.
Femi Falana, human rights lawyer
who has taken up the issue with the naval authorities, told TheCable at the
weekend that he understood as many as 67 civilians are currently being detained
at NNS Beecroft, Apapa, Lagos state.
Another vessel, MT Adeline Jumbo,
was arrested and the crew are being detained at NNS Beecroft in Apapa.
The detainees are: Adeleke
Adewale Hameed, Onaja Reuben, Labinjo Kehinde, Innocent Apkan, Emmanuel Oputa,
Peter Dung and Pius Paul Matthew.
GROWING LIST
Two weeks ago, 20 civilians were
also moved to the NNS Beecroft detention centre.
Another batch of 14 suspects were
detained after Neso 2 was arrested by the navy.
The names of the detainees, as
released by Falana, are: Melvin Jack, Adebayo Mayoma, Francis Onyeama, Godwill
Umoh, Bosin-Miebaka Iyala, Edu Fidelis, Richard David, Daniel Harrison, Asaiki
Okeoghene, Omogoye Bolaji, Victor Uchendu, Oloyede Ademola, Simon Onyisi Mike
and Udom Victor Jerome.
Before the latest revelations,
Falana had urged President Muhammadu Buhari to order the release of 40
Nigerians from “illegal custody” of the navy.
Detainees including Dada Labinjo,
a navy captain, and Sherifat Ibe Lambert (also known as Mrs Bola Labinjo), a
lt. commander, have been in detention since September 2018 for an undisclosed
offence.
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