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NNPC Limited Boss Calls For Special Court To Try Crude Oil thieves, Pipeline Vandals

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari, has called on the nation’s judiciary to establish special court to tackle the twin challenges of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
Kyari, who spoke today, June 13, at the National Judges’ Capacity Building Workshop on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) and INVESTIN 234, in Abuja, said that such measure would ensure accelerated hearing thereby leading to the oil and gas industry achieving its full potential as an enabler of national economic and industrial growth.
In a goodwill message he delivered at the workshop, the Group CEO said that the gains of the Petroleum Industry Act have been undermined by crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
A statement by the Chief spokesperson of the NNPC Limited, Olufemi O. Soneye, quoted the Group CEO as emphasizing the urgent need for the judiciary to consider the creation of a special court to try offences related to crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism or to grant accelerated hearings to such cases.
According to him, the role of the judiciary is critical to the success of the efforts of the various security arrangements put in place by NNPC, the law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders in the industry.

“In particular, is the recommendation that a special court be created to try those offences as they hinge on our survival as a country, and/or for such trials to be conducted under an accelerated hearing process by the issuance of Practice Directions to that effect, with concomitant sanctions to deter would-be offenders.”
Kyari also called on the judiciary to accelerate hearing to criminal cases in their courts, through timely determination of the criminal charges and imposing adequate punishments and sanctions on culprits to serve as deterrence to others.
He said that NNPC remains committed to collaborating with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the PIA.
“Together, we can ensure that the benefits of our natural resources are maximized for the economic and social development of our country.”
The Group CEO commended the Chief Justice of the Federation, Olukayode Ariwoola and the organisers of the workshop for extending invitation to him and the opportunity to deliver a goodwill message at the workshop.