Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, has advocated for the establishment of dedicated maritime courts to address the unique challenges of prosecuting maritime crimes in Nigeria.
This call was made on October 31, 2024, at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where Vice Admiral Ogalla delivered the annual Distinguished Public Lecture titled “Safeguarding Nigeria’s Blue Economy Potentials: The Role of the Nigerian Navy.”
The event, which saw UNN Vice-Chancellor Professor Polycarp Chigbu and other academic leaders in attendance, underscored the importance of maritime resources in Nigeria’s economic framework. Vice Admiral Ogalla highlighted Nigeria’s expansive Blue Economy potential, encompassing oil and gas reserves, fisheries, and other marine assets within its vast maritime domain. He revealed that Nigeria’s maritime assets currently hold an estimated 36 billion barrels of oil and 182 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves, with the potential for assets valued at $40 billion USD to rise to as much as $120 billion USD if harnessed efficiently and securely.
To protect these resources, the Nigerian Navy has developed a series of strategic measures, including the Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy (TSMS) and the “Nigerian Navy Trinity of Action,” which encompasses surveillance, rapid response, and robust law enforcement capabilities. These initiatives are designed to maintain security in Nigeria’s waters, minimize illegal activities, and foster a secure environment for maritime commerce and resource extraction.
A key example of these efforts is “Operation Delta Sanity,” launched in January 2024, which aims to eliminate crude oil theft and other illegal activities in the Niger Delta. According to Vice Admiral Ogalla, the operation has significantly disrupted illicit activities, leading to the seizure of 35 ships, the arrest of 65 suspects, and the dismantling of over 827 illegal refining sites. These actions have prevented billions of naira worth of stolen crude oil and refined products from being trafficked.
Despite these accomplishments, Vice Admiral Ogalla noted the challenges the Nigerian Navy faces, particularly the lack of maritime-specific legal frameworks for prosecuting offenders effectively. He emphasized that without diligent prosecution, criminal activities at sea may continue to persist. To address this, he advocated for the establishment of Special Maritime Courts, which would expedite cases involving maritime crimes and ensure that perpetrators face timely justice.
The lecture was met with enthusiasm by the university community, with students and faculty engaging Vice Admiral Ogalla in a Q&A session on maritime security, national economic development, and the Navy’s role in ensuring sustainable use of Nigeria’s marine resources. Reflecting on his personal journey, Vice Admiral Ogalla shared a nostalgic moment, recalling that in 1987 he had to choose between studying medicine at UNN or joining the Nigerian Defence Academy. The decision, he said, ultimately led him to a career path he cherishes deeply, bringing him full circle to address the UNN community.
Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, Director of Naval Information, commended the lecture as a significant step in bridging the gap between Nigeria’s security sector and academic institutions, fostering understanding of the Navy’s pivotal role in national economic security.