Mike Ozekhome, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), says the Nigerian Navy needs to take responsibility for crude oil theft in the country.
Ozekhome spoke on Wednesday at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) annual general conference at the national stadium in Abuja.
He said the navy and top government officials are to blame for oil theft, adding that they have the responsibility to protect the nation’s territorial waters.
“If you have a security man in your house and thieves invade your house, you will definitely blame the security man,” NAN quoted Ozekhome as saying.
“The Navy is saddled with the responsibility of protecting our territorial waters of crude oil theft and so it cannot say it is free from theft of crude oil in the country.
“How can the Navy say that they do not know how a huge vessel will disappear from the high sea as if it is a spirit?
“These vessels that carry this stolen crude are escorted by security personnel. Who are these personnel? Is it not the Navy’s responsibility?”
The lawyer asked the navy to call out persons responsible for oil theft for prosecution.
“How can you arrest a vessel with crude worth billions of naira and only impose a fine of N500,000?” he asked.
Ozekhome urged the Nigerian government to empower and employ the youths, adding that this will stop them from engaging in illegal activities.