The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has affirmed that the accusations against the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, will undergo a thorough investigation. He emphasized President Bola Tinubu’s firm stance on eradicating corruption within the public service.
Matawalle’s comments came in response to a report from People’s Gazette, which implicated the Naval Chief in facilitating an unorganized bunkering of Nigerian crude and engaging in a multimillion-naira contract-splitting fraud.
The report further alleged that Ogalla released impounded oil tankers involved in transporting stolen crude oil after receiving substantial kickbacks, estimating that he accepted over $170 million in bribes within the past six months since his appointment by the President on June 19, 2023.
The online media platform, citing log records and videos from September 2023 to January 2024, detailed instances when the Nigerian Navy, under Ogalla’s command, dispatched gunboats and personnel to supervise the loading of stolen crude on at least four vessels.
In a statement released on Friday night by the Director of Press and Information for the Ministry of Defence, Matawalle emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive and impartial investigation to validate the authenticity of the allegations.
The statement read, “The attention of the Ministry of Defence has been drawn to the recent article published by People’s Gazette which raises serious allegations against Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
“Responding to the allegation, Matawalle said that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has zero tolerance for corruption in the public service.
“Though these allegations might be mischievous, the Ministry of Defence is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability within the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“The allegations levelled against Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla are serious. Matawalle harped on thorough investigation saying that it was imperative to emphasize the need for a thorough and impartial investigation to ascertain the truth of these claims.”
He also said accusations of this nature could have a consequence on the reputation of individuals and institutions, urging the citizens to avoid “premature judgments” on the matter.
“We respect the role of the media in fostering transparency and holding public figures accountable.
“At the same time, we urge responsible journalism that adheres to the principles of fairness, objectivity, and accuracy. Accusations of this nature can have far-reaching consequences on the reputation of individuals and institutions, and thus, it is crucial to avoid premature judgments.
“In the light of the allegations, we assure the public that the Ministry of Defence will collaborate fully with relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter. We remain committed to the principles of due process and fairness, ensuring that findings will be based on concrete evidence and legal standards.
“It is our collective responsibility to maintain the trust and confidence of the Nigerian people in the institutions that safeguard our nation’s security. We call for patience as the investigative process unfolds and trust that justice will be served in accordance with the rule of law, “the statement added.
