Nigeria’s new anti-piracy law has been put into effect with a landmark judgment by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Friday following the sentencing of ten pirates involved in the 2020 hijack of a merchant vessel FV HAILUFENG II.
The pirates were sentenced to 12 years imprisonment each with a N250,000.00 fine on each count.This is Nigeria’s 1st prosecution of piracy under new Anti-Piracy Act ,SPOMO2019.
Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi Lagos while delivering judgement submitted that piracy has been an embarrassment to the nation and has impacted the economy negatively. Hence, Justice Faji stated that punishment for this act must be proportionate to the offence committed by the convicts to serve as deterrence to others.
In his submission, the lead prosecution counsel, Mr. Labaran Magaji averred that the verdict would send a strong warning to other criminal elements that Nigeria has zero tolerance for maritime criminals and that Nigerian institutions, both Nigerian Navy, prosecuting agencies and security agencies are ready to counter criminal activities. The defence counsel has promised to appeal the judgment.
It would be recalled that the Nigerian Navy (NN) rescued 18 crewmembers on board a Chinese vessel, FV HAILUFENG II from pirates’ attack May 15, 2020. Subsequently, 10 suspects were charged before the Federal High Court, Ikoyi. The suspects were charged to 3 counts on piracy with the offence contravening the provisions of Section 3, 10 and 12 of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act 2019.
The defendants included Frank Abaka, Jude Ebaragha, Shina Alolo, Joshua Iwiki, David Akinseye, Ahmed Toyin, Shobajo Saheed, Adekole Philip, Matthew Masi, and Bright Agbedeyi.
Background of the case
On May 14, 2020, ten persons allegedly hijacked the fishing vessel Hailufeng 11. On May 16, 2020, the Nigerian Navy carried out a rescue operation 140 nautical miles south of the Lagos Fairway Buoy. The 18 crew members were rescued, and the ten suspects arrested.
On 13 July 2020, the suspects were arraigned at the Federal High Court in Lagos and the court case is progressing. This is the first ever trial of a piracy case in Nigeria, under the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act of June 2019.
23/July/2021-Court Judgement on the case. We hope to use this case to create awareness on the dangers of maritime crime in Nigeria.
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