NUJENIX Corporation, has expanded its petition to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), alleging that personnel of the Nigerian Army were complicit in the unlawful seizure, detention and vandalism of its motor tanker, MT Thor, while also enabling threats to the life of its owner.
The company, through its lawyers, S.D. Omede, Esq., and P.O. Onucheyo, Esq., accused several individuals and firms — including John George Igor, Leonard Kwentua, Okoye Okezie Jude, Oluwagbemiga Ebenezer, Ampliar Resources Ltd and Ebenco Global Link Ltd — of criminal conspiracy, stealing, vandalism and illegal conversion of the vessel.
NUJENIX Corporation said it is acting on behalf of its owner and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Eial Golan Yachiel, an Israeli-American citizen resident in the United States.
According to the petition, MT Thor, owned by NUJENIX Corporation and registered in Florida, was handed over to Sub-Sea 9 Ocean Services Ltd under a bareboat charter agreement dated January 1, 2021, allegedly operated by John George Igor. Under the agreement, Igor was to pay $912,500 every six months, but allegedly defaulted.
“He failed to do so and only paid the sum of $25,000.00,” the petition stated.
The company alleged that after taking possession of the vessel, Igor disappeared, stopped answering calls and issued grave threats.
“He has threatened that our client will be kidnapped and killed or die mysteriously if he steps his foot on the shores of Nigeria,” the lawyers wrote.
Briefing Journalists in Abuja,Bar Peter Onucheyo, company lawyer alleged that the Nigeria army personnel supporting one of the prime suspects were used to intimidate and unlawfully disrupted police investigation and took custody of the vessel and detain parties connected to the vessel.
According to Onuchenu ” The matter escalated beyond civil disputes. “This is not about business again. This is about threats, detention and force.”
He alleged that after court processes were initiated, armed personnel intervened. “When the police went to effect the arrest, they were, they were stopped there,” he said.
He further alleged that soldiers were deployed to guard the vessel at Koko, Warri, Delta State, where it was allegedly hidden and dismantled.
“They went and hid the vessel there, and they have been vandalizing it. They butchered it,” he said. “When you see how it is now, it’s not as tacky as it used to be it’s actually destroyed.”
According to the lawyer, attempts to enforce court orders were frustrated. “One person had even gotten a court order, but they still kept us there unlawfully,” the source claimed, alleging illegal detention backed by armed men.
The petition further alleged that military and other security agencies were mentioned during the ordeal.
NUJENIX Corporation claimed that its vessel has now been stripped of vital components and rendered unusable.
“Right now, the vessel is damaged beyond repair and is no more seaworthy due to the criminal activities of the suspects,” the petition stated, noting that navigational and bunker equipment were allegedly stolen.
“Photographs showing the condition of MT Thor at the time it was delivered in January 2021 and its current state were attached to the petition, according to the lawyers.
Citing the alleged involvement of armed personnel and threats to life, the firm urged urgent intervention by the IGP.
“We humbly urge and request that the Inspector-General of Police use your good office and intervene so that justice will be served,” the petition read, stressing that the matter required immediate attention “to save life and property of our client.”
The Nigerian police investigating the matter has located the vessel in a location in Koko Delta State where the suspected criminals hid the vessel. The police commenced towing of the remaining carcass of the vessel to a safe location,but were run crossed by Nigeria army gunboat led by one Lt.Col.Mustsoha Garba and hijacked the vessel from the custody of the escort of the Nigerian Marine police personnel being on lawful legal duty.
This act of the Nigerian army was engineered by one of the suspects by name Ebenezer Oluwagbemiga who claims to own the jetty where the vessel was moored
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army and the individuals named in the petition had not publicly responded to the allegations.
https://verynigerian.com/us-firm-alleges-nigerian-army-complicity-in-seizure-vandalism-of-mt-thor/
Be the first to comment