The senator representing Enugu North in the National Assembly, Senator Okey Ezea, has declared that oil thieves were behind the malicious publication against the chief of naval staff, Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, of corruption.
The senator, who made this comment on his verified X handle, criticised a particular online newspaper, and others for allowing themselves to be used by oil thieves to defame the character of “the very competent and incorruptible, Ogalla.”
He supported the Nigerian Navy’s statement on Saturday which condemned the “sponsored malicious publication” against the chief of the naval staff, and reminded all those lending their platforms for such a hatchet job that legal action can be brought against them for defamation of character.
Vice Admiral Ogalla, who comes from Enugu North, the district Ezea represents in the Senate, hinted that it was a case of corruption fighting back.
It would be recalled that the Naval Headquarters had on Saturday issued a disclaimer clearing CNS Ogalla of all allegations levelled against him in a story published on Peoples Gazette and culled or reported by several other publications.
In the rebuttal signed by Rear Admiral Adetokun Ayo-Vaughan, director of information, the Nigerian Navy said the allegations were unfounded and baseless, adding that those feeling the heat of the several operations by the navy were behind the blackmail against Ogalla.
The online news media had reported that Ogalla was involved in facilitating unauthorised bunkering of crude oil and engaging in multimillion-naira contract-splitting fraud, and for facilitating the release of several oil tankers previously seized for transporting stolen crude oil off Nigerian shores, allegedly after receiving substantial kickbacks.
Following these allegations, the minister of state for defence, Bello Matawalle, had promised to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
The NN’s statement, however, clarified that the vessels mentioned in the report were apprehended for involvement in crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering, and they have not been released as alleged.
The statement signed by Ayo-Vaughan also averred that it was not within the powers of Ogalla to award oil-bunkering contracts, adding that only the NNPCL had such power.
The senator’s post on X reads: “There seems to have been an orchestrated scheme to harass and intimidate the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, out of office. The culprits obviously are oil thieves who have met a brick wall in the very competent and incorruptible naval chief.
“The allegations in their campaign of calumny have no facts, otherwise they would have since presented them. In any case, the Nigerian Navy’s statement yesterday entitled “Sponsored Malicious Publication Against The Office And Person Of The Chief Of The Naval Staff” provides all the answers.
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