EFCC Calls For Special Court To Speed Up Oil Theft Cases

EFCC Calls For Special Court To Speed Up Oil Theft Cases

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has proposed the creation of a Special Court dedicated to prosecuting suspected crude oil thieves and addressing other crimes within the oil and gas industry.

Ireporteronline reports that this appeal was made on Wednesday during an investigative hearing conducted by the House of Representatives’ Special Committee, which is probing crude oil theft and related losses.

Michael Uzokwe, Chief of Staff to the EFCC Chairman, highlighted the Commission’s difficulties in ensuring timely prosecution of suspects due to delays in the current court system.

He explained that despite filing hundreds of cases, only a small fraction have led to convictions, while many cases are still pending or newly filed. These delays are particularly problematic in the Niger Delta, where oil-related crimes are rampant, and arrests occur frequently.

Echoing Uzokwe’s concerns, EFCC Director of Investigation, Abdulkareem Chukkol, noted that the Commission’s offices in the Niger Delta region handle a high volume of oil-related complaints daily.

He revealed that in 2019 alone, the EFCC brought over 400 cases to court, with more than 200 cases filed in 2022. Chukkol also mentioned that some cases are referred to other agencies for further action.

During the hearing, when questioned by Committee member Rep. Gambo Leko about the withdrawal of cases, the EFCC representatives clarified that the Commission rarely withdraws cases and typically appeals any unfavorable judgments or stays of execution.

Addressing the utilization of recovered funds, the EFCC officials promised to provide detailed information to the committee, though they cited President Tinubu’s recent statement indicating that approximately ₦100 billion had been released from EFCC recoveries.

Rep. Sada Soli Jibiya, who briefly stood in for Committee Chairman, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, emphasized the importance of transparency regarding recoveries, as these funds are reflected in the national budget.

Earlier, Doguwa stressed that the investigation aims to unite stakeholders in the fight against oil theft, a significant challenge for Nigeria’s oil sector. He noted that addressing these issues could enhance production and revenue, crucial for the nation’s governance.

Doguwa added that while the government has the political will to tackle these problems, years of neglect in the oil and gas sector have compounded the difficulties. The investigation seeks to find effective solutions to mitigate the impact of oil theft and related crimes.