The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission hereby wishes to dissociate
itself from the activities of a certain Messrs. Pinnacle Trading &
Investment Nig. Ltd. who have been parading themselves as auctioneers
purportedly appointed by the Commission to dispose of impounded
petroleum products aboard MT Good Success and MT Asteris.
The
general public is hereby warned to refrain from engaging in any activity
in relation to the auctioning of any vessel or petroleum product on
behalf of the Commission, as EFCC has not duly authorized anyone to act
on its behalf in that regard.
The sources of the fraudulent
letter of engagement being paraded by Messrs. Pinnacle Trading &
Investment Nig. Ltd., are currently being investigated, with a view to
bringing them to book.
It would be recalled that the vessels and
their operators were arrested by the Nigerian Navy, for engaging in
illegal activities and handed over to the EFCC.
By virtue of
two judgments of Justice I.N Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on
15th December, 2015, their operators were convicted and the vessels and
their contents totaling 4,882.097 metric ton of Premium Motor Spirit and
Crude oil, forfeited to the Federal Government.
For the
avoidance of any doubt, EFCC has not entered into any contract with, nor
appointed Messrs. Pinnacle Trading & Investment Nig. Ltd., to act
on its behalf on any matter, whatsoever.
Anyone
found to be parading himself as an auctioneer or agent under whatever
guise in respect of the vessels MT Good Success and MT Asteris and their
contents, should be reported to the Commission or the nearest police
station.
