The Nigerian Navy has released Motor Tanker HEROIC IDUN to its owners, Idun Maritime Limited, after the ship and her 26 foreign crew pleaded guilty and voluntarily entered a plea bargain with the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as make restitution to the Federal Government.

The Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Bonny, Captain Mohammed Adamu, who disclosed this on Saturday, May 27, 2023 while addressing journalists on board MT HEROIC IDUN at 30 nautical miles off the Bonny coastline, said this has now led to the resolution of the criminal matter against the ship and its owners.

“It may be recalled the public and indeed the maritime world was notified of the grave infractions of Motor Tanker HEROIC IDUN and her prosecution by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt on 10 January 2023.”

“It was equally disclosed that the Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), MT HEROIC IDUN and her 26 foreign crew pleaded guilty and elected voluntarily to enter into a plea bargain agreement with the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as make restitution to the Federal Government.”

“Accordingly, after the conviction of MT HEROIC IDUN and sentencing by the Court, in line with the agreed terms, the MT HEROIC IDUN and its owners were to pay conviction fines and restitution to the FGN and make an apology to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in print and electronic media as well as Lloyd’s List.”

“Accordingly, the owners of the vessel apologized to the FGN on the LLOYDS List on 12 May 2023 and same apology was published in the Punch Newspaper (Page 22) of 18 May 2023.”

“The vessel regretted the false pirate attack alarm she raised on 7 August 2023 which was in clear defiance of the State being that she disobeyed the orders of Nigerian Navy Ship GONGOLA after an attempt to load crude oil without appropriate approvals from NNPCL and the necessary security clearance.”

He stated that on its part, the Federal Government agreed not to further pursue criminal prosecution or investigate the vessel, her owners, charterers or her crew in the matter of her crime against the State, adding that these were the conditions of the plea bargain without which the VLCC and its crew would not be released.

“On its part, the Federal Government agreed not to further criminally prosecute and/or investigate the vessel, her owners, charterers or her crew in the matter of her crime against the State. All these being the conditions of the plea bargain without which the VLCC and its crew would not be released.”

He asserted that “the plea bargain was in the interest of justice, the public and for public policy interest in line with Section 270 (5) (a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015”.

The NN FOB Commanding Officer declared that “MT HEROIC IDUN having fulfilled all the aforementioned conditions of the plea bargain to the satisfaction of the Federal High Court has been released today, Saturday 27 May 2023 to its owners, Idun Maritime Limited with the consent of the court and approval of the FGN”.

He further declared that the efforts of the Nigerian Navy in concert with relevant stakeholders to secure the transfer of the ship from Equatorial Guinea after she escaped Nigerian territorial waters and subsequent prosecution under the under the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, 2019 apparently demonstrates its commitment to ensure regulatory compliance for vessels seeking access into Nigerian territorial waters and economic environment.

“The subsequent transfer of the ship from Equatorial Guinea after she had escaped Nigerian waters and her prosecution under the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, 2019 further demonstrates the Nigerian Navy’s practical commitment to ensure that only valid and authorized vessels are allowed to carry out export of crude oil or gas at the various oil terminals and this is with a view to enhancing energy security governance in the country for improved national prosperity as directed by the FGN.”

“Consequent upon this development, maritime stakeholders, key players and seafarers operating within Nigerian waters are enjoined and warned to carefully conduct their operations and maritime related activities within extant regulations and with due observance of the law.”

He warned that “the Nigerian Navy will not fail to bring to book those whose operation infringe on the provisions of the SPOMO Act and all maritime laws and conventions acceded to by the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

“The Navy under the able leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo CFR shall continue to work in synergy with other Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies, navies of the Gulf of Guinea states and strategic partners of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria derives the maximum benefit from its natural resources in her vast maritime area.”

Also speaking, the captain of MT HEROIC IDUN, Tanuj Metah affirmed that he and his crew were aware of the processes that led to the plea bargain and the subsequent release of the ship, stating that he and his crew were well treated by the Nigerian Navy, expressing gratitude to the Navy and the Nigerian people for their disposition towards them while the fiasco lasted.

“We were treated extremely professionally by the Nigerian Navy. We are thankful to the Nigerian Navy and the people of Nigeria.”

“And yes, we are aware of the arrangement between the Navy and the vessel owners as well as the plea bargain agreement. And we are very happy and relieved to go back to our country.”

Checks around Nigeria’s maritime domain in recent times indicate an upscale in the capabilities and deliverables of the Nigerian Navy with regards to entrenching the nation’s energy security governance and guaranteeing a conducive atmosphere for national prosperity to flourish.