Navy Hands Over Trawler, 7 Crew Members To EFCC
Adetokunbo Fakeye
An empty fishing Trawler (FT Opeyemi), operating without a fishing license, belonging to Oshine Resources Venture, with seven crew members on board, was on Friday, handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, by the Nigeria Navy Shipyard, Beecroft, in Lagos.
According to a release from office of the EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, officers of the Nigeria Navy on patrol arrested the Trawler in March 27, 2014. Captain J.N Mamman, Commanding Officer, NNS Beecroft and Lieutenant B.E Enock, Acting Base Operation Officer, NNS Beecroft, handed over the ship and the crew to the EFCC.
The seven crew members the release stated are: Captain Momodu Ibrahim; Engr. Togbosi Christian; Idowu Tuesday; Benjamin Eyinle; Anthony Medeho; Liadi Ayeni and Fatai Lamidi.
According to Capt. Mamman, “The Trawler (FT Opeyemi) we are handing over to the EFCC was arrested on her first trip, while being tested, without a fishing license. The Naval Headquarters directed that the Trawler be handed over to the EFCC.”
The Trawler and its crew were received by the Head, Counter-Terrorism and General Investigation Unit of the EFCC, Lagos Zone, Mr Aminu Ado, who assured the naval authorities of proper investigation of the case and solicited for the cooperation of all officers conversant with the case.
The suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded, the statement stated.