EMEA News
Update: 14 Arrested as Monjasa, Glencore Accused of Illegal Bunkering
- Update 1: Added that Glencore’s involvement limited to its name appearing on the bill of lading
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Nigeria says that on Wednesday it arraigned 14 foreigners, who along with Monjasa DMCC and Glencore Energy UK Limited, and the vessel MT Anuket Emerald, have been charged with illegal bunkering.
The Nigerian Federal High Court in Lagos reportedly issued a four-count charge of conspiracy and illegal dealing in petroleum products.
Count one was said to be for "dealing in petroleum products without lawful authority or appropriate licence", while count two was for dealing with 1,738.087 metric tonnes of petroleum products "without lawful authority or appropriate licence".
Both such counts reportedly occurred "on or about the 27th day of February, 2015."
The EFCC says on March 8, 2015 the Panama-flagged MT Anuket Emerald (IMO number 9393644) was intercepted by a Nigerian naval ship during a routine patrol within Nigerian waters on suspicion of illegal oil dealing, after which the crew and vessel were handed over to the EFCC.
EFCC said its investigations showed that Combe Shipping Limited is the registered owner of MT Anuket Emerald, the beneficial owner is Alliance Tankers Incorporated, and the vessel was chartered by Monjasa DMCC of Dubai.
Ship & Bunker understands that Glencore’s involvement in the matter is limited to the fact their name appeared on the bill of lading, something which is standard practice as the company who sold the original cargo to Monjasa.
The suspects were said to include three Russians, three Ukrainians, eight Filipinos, and one Georgian.
All have pled not guilty to the charges.
The accused were all granted bail in the sum of N50,000,000 ($251,446) each, and a bank guarantee of N750,000,000 ($3,771,690) was accepted as the bail bond.
EFCC says the case will go to trial later this week on June 17, 18, and 19, 2015.
Commenting on the charges, Anders Østergaard, CEO at Monjasa Holding A/S, said: "The important thing for me is to stress that there is nothing to this."
Last year, it was reported that Nigeria was planning to legalise offshore oil product sales.
