NNPC seeks special court for crude oil thieves

 

 

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC Limited, Mr. Mele Kyari, has canvassed for creation of a special court to try offences related to crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in Nigeria and/or granting accelerated hearings to such cases.

 

Kyari canvassed for the creation of the special court at the National Judges Capacity Building Workshop on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) and INVESTIN 234, on Thursday in Abuja.

 

He solicited judiciary support in tackling the challenges of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

 

Delivering his goodwill message at the workshop, Kyari stressed that the gains of the PIA have been severely undermined by crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism and urged the judiciary to consider the creation of a special court to deal with the perpetrators.

 

According to him, the role of the judiciary is critical to the success of the efforts of the various security arrangements put in place by NNPC, the law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders in the industry.

 

“In particular, is the recommendation that a special court be created to try those offences as they hinge on our survival as a country, and/or for such trials to be conducted under an accelerated hearing process by the issuance of Practice Directions to that effect, with concomitant sanctions to deter would-be offenders,” Kyari stated.

 

The GCEO further called on the judiciary to accelerate hearing to criminal cases in their courts, through timely determination of the criminal charges and imposing adequate punishments and sanctions on culprits to serve as deterrence to others.

 

He said NNPC remains committed to collaborating with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the PIA, adding, “together, we can ensure that the benefits of our natural resources are maximized for the economic and social development of our country”.

 

Kyari also commended the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola and the organisers of the workshop for extending invitation to him and the opportunity to deliver a goodwill message at the workshop.