By Chuks Peter, DELTA
A lawyer in Delta State, Prof. O. G. Izevbuwas, representing Ocan Marine, has issued a thirty-day ultimatum to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) demanding the immediate release of a seized tugboat, M. V. OMAS SUCCESS TUG BOAT.
The ultimatum was delivered in a protest letter to the EFCC.
Joined by F. I., Bob-Osaze (Mrs.), C. C. Udoala (Mrs.), J. E. Ibiomgbo Esq., and A. E. Iluobe (Miss), Prof. Izevbuwa also demanded ₦50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira) for salvage and repairs of the boat, which has been submerged in water.
If the EFCC fails to comply within the stipulated thirty-day period, Prof. Izevbuwa stated that legal action would be taken on behalf of his client to assert their ownership rights and claim damages from the Commission.
The protest letter highlighted the circumstances leading to the seizure of the tugboat, stating that it was not involved in any wrongdoing.
Prof. Izevbuwa provided details of the tugboat’s assignment in 2018 by its owner, Egrangbene Community, Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, for dredging and canalisation work.
Despite assurances from EFCC of the tugboat’s release after investigations, it was recently put up for auction.
The owner of the tugboat, Mr. Owen Nanakumoh Esq, Chairman/Managing Director of Ocan Marine Services Limited, expressed disappointment at the auctioning of the vessel.
Efforts to engage EFCC officials for comments on the matter were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
