Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has convicted three persons including two foreigners for piracy and concealment of information from security agencies.
The three convicted persons are Binaebi Johnson, Daniel Lemmer and Ghane Gordon.
Justice.I.M.SANI sentenced the three persons and fined them the sum of 20 million naira each amounting to 60 million naira after they pleaded guilty to the amended charges based on suppression of piracy and other maritime Offences Act, 2019.
The three persons were among nine people earlier accused of terrorism and kidnapping over their alleged involvement in facilitating the payment of two hundred thousand dollars as a ransom for the kidnapped crew members of the Equatorial Guinea Vessel MV ELOBEY VI.
The Lead Prosecutor from the Office of the Attorney General, Labaran Magaji said they amended the charges in line with the offences committed by the accused persons.
Speaking to newsmen outside the court, Labaran Magaji also said that the judgment is a landmark victory for the anti-piracy act of 2019.
“Well, this judgment is a groundbreaking one, this is the first judgment that was delivered under the new anti-piracy Act. And it is a positive direction in the fight against piracy in the waters of Nigeria. And so, we are very happy, we are delighted that this court was bold to actually take the step. This will certainly serve as a deterrent to any intending person who intends to carry out any piracy associated offences. We are really delighted” he said.
The Lawyer to the three convicted persons, Abimbola Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, said she is not happy with the court judgment.
She said that she will meet with her clients to know their next line of action.
Our correspondent reports that the court also discharged six other accused persons for lack of evidence.
