Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff, is facing a crisis after being flagged for his role in aiding oil bunkering and a multibillion-naira contract-splitting fraud, according to a report by the People’s Gazette
Ogalla’s actions have raised concerns among defense minister Bello Matawalle, who is reportedly being supplied with details of the naval chief’s “disturbing” exploits in Nigerian territorial waters.
Ogalla has been accused of freeing several oil tankers transporting stolen crude off Nigerian shores in exchange for millions of American dollars in kickbacks.
He has also rebuffed internal calls to remove his underlings who helped facilitate the scheme, further highlighting the extent of the corruption.
President Bola Tinubu appointed Ogalla as the Chief of Naval Staff in June 2023, replacing Awwal Zubairu Gambo, who faced similar accusations during his service from 2021 to 2023.
The president has not yet commented on the situation, and it remains unclear how he will handle the crisis
The scandal could have significant implications for Nigeria’s national security and the reputation of the Nigerian Navy
Preliminary investigations estimate that Ogalla has accepted over $170 million in bribes over the past six months alone
The situation has raised concerns among top brass in the navy and defense ministry, who are pushing for an urgent inquiry to mitigate the consequences.
The scandal comes at a critical time for Tinubu, as the country is being urged to ramp up its security architecture towards the safety of lives and properties and economic development.
The investigation is crucial to Nigeria’s national security and the reputation of the Nigerian Navy.
