Naval Chief Faces Allegations Of N8 Billion Fraud And Oil Theft – Coalition Urges Probe

Eko Hot Blog reports in a startling development, a coalition comprising prominent figures, including Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi, Comrade Deji Adeyanju, Comrade Mohammed Suleiman, Aisha Waliki, and Comrade Ogunwoye Samson, has called for an investigation into Vice Admiral Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff.

The group accuses him of widespread corruption, including an alleged N8 billion fraud and involvement in oil theft operations.

The coalition, in a petition filed through the Office of the Minister of State for Defense, Hon. Bello Matawalle, raised serious concerns about the potential plundering of the nation’s resources by those entrusted with their protection. The allegations against Vice Admiral Ogalla include claims that the Nigerian Navy, under his command, shielded ships involved in illegal crude oil operations. Specific vessels mentioned include MT PRAISEL, MT KALI, and MT Tura. The group presented documented evidence, including recorded nighttime escort operations, as proof of systemic corruption.

Furthermore, the petition outlined suspicions of Vice Admiral Ogalla’s involvement in contract splitting and procurement fraud.

The coalition alleges that he awarded 30 contracts to a single company, each just below the mandatory oversight threshold, resulting in a reported cost of over N8 billion to Nigeria.

In response, the Nigerian Navy dismissed the allegations as baseless and part of a coordinated effort to blackmail Vice Admiral Ogalla. The Navy contends that the accusations are an attempt to undermine its efforts in combating crude oil theft, citing the success of Operation Delta Sanity, a recent initiative aimed at curbing illegalities in the maritime domain.

Director of Naval Information, Rear Admiral AO Ayo-Vaughan, stated, “The allegations that the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) accepted over $170 million in bribes, as well as alleged involvement in multi-billion naira contract splitting fraud in the last 6 months, are untenable, baseless, and untrue.”Undeterred by the Navy’s response, the coalition emphasized the need for firm action against leaders suspected of involvement in crude oil theft. They argue that addressing corruption within the armed forces is crucial to safeguarding the nation’s economic stability.

Members of the public have expressed concern over the allegations, with many calling for a transparent and thorough investigation. One citizen remarked, “If these allegations are true, it’s a betrayal of the trust we place in our military leaders. We need accountability to ensure the integrity of our armed forces.”

As the controversy unfolds, there is a growing demand for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations against Vice Admiral Ogalla to determine the veracity of the claims and uphold the rule of law.

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