Nigerian Navy releases MT Heroic Idun, foreign crew after plea bargain 

The Federal government through the Nigerian Navy has formally released and handed over MT Heroic Idun, a Very Large Crude Carrier (VCLL) to its owners, Idun Maritime Limited after fulfilling all conditions of the plea bargain entered between them and the Nigerian government.

Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Commodore Ayo Vaughan who disclosed this in a statement said the VLCC was released on Saturday, May 27th with the consent of the court.

Recall that MT Heroic Idun and her 26 foreign crew were arrested by the Nigerian Navy and convicted in court and fined $15million after a failed attempt to steal Nigeria’s crude oil in August 2022.

MT Heroic Idun and her 26 foreign crew had pleaded guilty and elected voluntarily to enter into a plea bargain agreement with the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as make restitution to the Federal Government.

“The plea bargain was in the interest of justice, the public and for public policy interest in line with Section 270 (5) (a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

Accordingly, after the conviction of MT HEROIC IDUN and sentencing by the Court, in line with the agreed terms, the MT HEROIC IDUN and its owners were to pay conviction fines and restitution to the Federal  government and make an apology to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in print and electronic media as well as Llyod’s List.

“On its part, the Federal Government agreed not to further criminally prosecute and/or investigate the vessel, her owners, charterers or her crew in the matter of her crime against the State. All these being the conditions of the plea bargain without which the VLCC and its crew would not be released.

“Accordingly, the owners of the vessel apologized to the Federal  government on the LLOYDS List on 12 May 2023 and same apology was published in the Punch Newspaper Page 27 of 18 May 2023.

“The vessel regretted the false pirate attack alarm she raised on 7 August 2023 which was in clear defiance of the State being that she disobeyed the orders of Nigerian Navy Ship GONGOLA after an attempt to load crude oil without appropriate approvals from NNPCL and the necessary security clearance. The subsequent transfer of the ship from Equatorial Guinea after she had escaped Nigerian waters and her prosecution under the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, 2019 further demonstrates the Nigerian Navy’s practical commitment to ensure that only valid and authorized vessels are allowed to carry out export of crude oil or gas at the various oil terminals and this is with a view to enhancing energy security governance in the country for improved national prosperity as directed by the FGN.

“Pertinently, MT HEROIC IDUN having fulfilled all the aforementioned conditions of the plea bargain to the satisfaction of the Federal High Court has been released today Saturday 27 May 2023 to its owners, Idun Maritime Limited with the consent of the court and approval of the FGN.”

The Navy warned maritime stakeholders operating within the nation’s water to conduct their operations within extant regulations as it will not fail to bring to book those whose operations infringe on the provisions of the SPOMO Acts and other maritime laws.

“Consequent upon this development, maritime stakeholders, key players and seafarers operating within Nigerian waters are enjoined and warned to carefully conduct their operations and maritime related activities within extant regulations and with due observance of the law.

“The Nigerian Navy will not fail to bring to book those whose operation infringe on the provisions of the SPOMO Act and all maritime laws and conventions acceded to by the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Navy under the able leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo CFR shall continue to work in synergy with other Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies, navies of the Gulf of Guinea states and strategic partners of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria derives the maximum benefit from its natural resources in her vast maritime area,” the statement said.