Youths of Enugu State under the aegis of United Enugu Youth Forum have warned that it will not stand and watch while some disgruntled elements drag the name of respected Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla to the mud.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary Emeka Ezeugwu, the youths expressed anger over recent unfounded allegations against the much revered Naval Chief whom they vouched have maintained a high level of discipline and integrity.
They particularly criticized a “sponsored and malicious publication” targeted at the good image of Vice Admiral Ogalla by bunkerers and oil thieves whom he is checkmating their illegal activities.
“This is our last warning to these group of individuals who have designed a deliberate plot to harass and intimidate the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, out of office.
“The culprits obviously are oil thieves who have met a brick wall in the very competent and incorruptible naval chief.
“The allegations in their campaign of calumny have no facts, otherwise they would have since presented them. In any case, the Nigerian Navy’s statement yesterday entitled “SPONSORED MALICIOUS PUBLICATION AGAINST THE OFFICE AND PERSON OF THE CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF” provides all the answers.
“Peoples Gazette and other online publications being used to propagate this evil campaign should be ready to face Libel charges sooner than later.
The Naval Headquarters yesterday issued a disclaimer clearing CNS Ogalla of all allegations levelled against him. In the rebuttal signed by Rear Admiral Adetokun Ayo-Vaughan, director of information, the Nigerian Navy (NN) said the allegations were unfounded and baseless, adding that those feeling the heat of the several operations by the navy were behind the blackmail against Ogalla.
Ogalla was accused of involvement in facilitating unauthorised bunkering of crude oil and engaging in multimillion-naira contract-splitting fraud. He was also implicated in the release of several oil tankers previously seized for transporting stolen crude oil off Nigerian shores, allegedly after receiving substantial kickbacks.
Following these allegations, the minister of state for defence, Bello Matawalle, promised to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
The NN’s statement, however, clarified that the vessels mentioned in the report were apprehended for involvement in crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering, and they have not been released as alleged.
The statement signed by Ayo-Vaughan also averred that it was not within the power of Ogalla to award oil-bunkering contracts, adding that only the NNPCL had such power.
Tantita Security Services Limited (TSL) owned by former militant Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) is one of the firms allegedly unhappy with NN in the Niger Delta. Oil thieves loom large in the country’s coastal waters, and they constitute a powerful cabal that could needle anyone that refuses to play ball with them.
In their statements the Enugu Youths warned that whoever is behind the plot against Ogalla will have these them to contend with as they will not stand aside and watch their upright brother being messed up by some ‘miscreants.’
Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla is a highly respected Enugu son. We are proud of him; we trust him; we have confidence in him; we will fight his battle. This is our first. It is as well, our last warning.
