Connect with us

Metro

Navy demands special court for marine crimes in Nigeria

Published

on

Naval Chief, Ekwe-Ibas says kidnapping has reduced after meeting with Buhari

The Nigerian Navy on Wednesday demanded the establishment of a special court to try maritime-related crimes in the country.

It said the request would help to facilitate maritime cases without any delay.

The service also lamented the lack of adequate ships to cover Nigeria’s waters, saying it was seriously affecting the war against maritime crimes in the country.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, made the position known while speaking at a press conference held at the end of a three-day Global Maritime Conference in Abuja.

He appealed to the Federal Government to consider dedicating some courts to handle maritime cases as soon as possible.

Iba, who was represented at the workshop by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Begroy Ibe-Enwo, also said designation of some courts to try maritime crimes may not require legislation.

He said: ”It is just for the Attorney-General of the Federation and the executive arm to execute it.”

Lamenting that maritime cases were not handled at the needed speed, the Navy chief added: “Certain courts can be designated for maritime offences so that these (maritime cases) can be expeditiously executed.”

“It is not easy to keep a ship, you need to maintain her so that she doesn’t go down the sea and become a wreck which is another problem.”

Iba also averred that the increasing cases of illegal maritime activities in the country’s waters had generated concerns, thereby making people believe that the criminality was an internationally organized crime.

“That (organized crime ) is our suspicion and that is exactly what it is. And that is why a forum like this is also to let the international community know that they should also discourage their own people from participating in this kind of illegality. That is why one of the recommendations clearly stated that we should designate it the same status as blood diamonds, maybe blood fish or bad fish,” the CNS concluded.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now