Following the allegation of oil theft levelled against the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Federal Government has ordered an investigation into corruption claims against the naval chief.
This follows petition written to President Bola Tinubu by coalition of Concerned Nigerians to investigate allegations of large-scale corruption against the CNS.
A statement by the director of press in the ministry of information, Mr Henshaw Ogubike, the minister of state for defence, Muhammed Bello Matawalle, called for a thorough and impartial investigation to ascertain the truth of the claims.
He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu has zero tolerance for corruption in the public service.
“Though these allegations might be mischievous, the Ministry of Defence is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability within the Nigerian Armed Forces. The allegations leveled against Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla are serious,” he said.
Speaking on the source of information, he said: “We respect the role of the media in fostering transparency and holding public figures accountable. At the same time, we urge responsible journalism that adheres to the principles of fairness, objectivity and accuracy.
Accusations of this nature can have far-reaching consequences on the reputation of individuals and institutions, and thus, it is crucial to avoid premature judgments.”
The minister assured that the Ministry of Defence would collaborate fully with relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
“We remain committed to the principles of due process and fairness, ensuring that findings will be based on concrete evidence and legal standards.
“It is our collective responsibility to maintain the trust and confidence of the Nigerian people in the institutions that safeguard our nation’s security. We call for patience as the investigative process unfolds and trust that justice will be served in accordance with the rule of law,” he said.
The Nigerian Navy debunked reports that CNS Ogalla accepted over $170 Million In bribes and was involved in multi-billion naira contract splitting fraud in the last six months.
Naval spokesman, Rear Admiral AO Ayo-Vaughan, in a statement on Saturday, described the publications as untenable, baseless and untrue.
He claimed that the reports were sponsored by oil thieves and disgruntled elements.