Posted by By PHILIP NWOSU on
The fate of the two top naval officers and other naval officers convicted by the various court-martial over the disappearance of the illegal bunkering ship, MT African Pride, would be decided next month by the Nigerian Navy Board.
The fate of the two top naval officers and other naval officers convicted by the various court-martial over the disappearance of the illegal bunkering ship, MT African Pride, would be decided next month by the Nigerian Navy Board.
According to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Samuel Afolayan, the force is at the final stage of the paper work necessary for the sitting of the board and would convene at the conclusion of that.
He spoke to journalists in Lagos while conducting an inspection of works being carried out on the force's platform.
Two top naval officers, Rear Admiral Francis Agbiti and Rear Admiral Samuel Kolawole, were in January this year convicted by a military court over the disappearance of the MT African Pride, while another naval officer, Navy Captain Peter Duke, was also convicted by another court-martial for the disappearance of the crude oil on the vessel.
Admiral Afolayan told Daily Sun that, even though the force and his office respect and revere the House of Representatives, "there cannot be two parallel courts in the country.
In the military, we have laid down regulations recognized by the constitution and we administer our men based on that constitutional laid down procedure.
"So it goes from the unit where an offence is committed, through the command to Naval Headquarters, then to the Navy Board. And at the Navy Board it is a designated job and the head of that board is the Commander-in-Chief who can designate the minister of defence to do that."
He said after the decision of the board and the officer still feel aggrieved, they may go to the civil court.
The Chief of Naval Staff also revealed that every officer of the force would benefit from the proposed car loan to be given by the Federal Government, explaining that there would be no exemption, since officers and men put their lives on the line for the defence of the country.
"Our core job is to defend the interest of the nation, secondary is the well being. And I think that now that the navy is getting back to sea to protect our oil, it means government will have more money . Logically, if government has more money, we will expect that the government will look after the welfare of the men, " he added.
Admiral Afolayan described as dangerous, recent reports that some military officers would be excluded from the Federal Government car loan scheme, adding that all officers of the force would benefit from the largesse.
The navy boss also inspected repair works and level of maintenance works on its Frigate, the Fast Attack Craft, the MK9 Corvettes and its Tugs, applauding the works being carried out by local engineers.