Nigeria returns seized vessel to Switzerland government
The Federal Government of Nigeria on Saturday returned a Swiss vessel, MT San Padre Pio, to the Government of Switzerland, three years after it was seized by the Nigerian Navy.
The navy arrested the vessel and its 16 Ukrainian nationals
on January 23, 2018 for illegal entry and transport of gas oil into Nigeria’s
waters without a permit.
An official in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Dr Francis
Oni, handed over the vessel and cargo to the representatives of the Swiss
government at a brief ceremony in Onne, Rivers State.
Oni said after the seizure of the vessel, its crew were
charged to the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt for trial.
“MT San Padre Pio was caught transferring gas oil into
another ship on Nigerian waters in the middle of the night without permission
from relevant authorities.
“Unfortunately, the Swiss government, probably not
understanding how the system of Nigeria works, instituted a court action.
“The Swiss government sought the prescription of provisional
measures at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in
Hamburg, Germany.
“Thereafter, the court made a provisional ruling requesting
Switzerland to issue in favour of Nigeria, a bond of 14 million US Dollars.
“The court also requested Switzerland to enter into an
undertaking that is binding under international law, to produce the suspects
wherever their presence was required by the court,” he said.
Oni said that based on the ruling of the ITLOS, Nigeria was
required to release the vessel, pending final determination of the tribunal.
According to him, the federal government later discharged
and acquitted the sailors while some members of the crew stayed onboard to
maintain the vessel.
He said in spite of Nigeria’s willingness to comply fully
with the ruling of the court, Switzerland could not fulfil the condition of the
tribunal hence further detention of the ship.
“Subsequently, the then Vice President and now President of
Switzerland, Guy Parmelin, and Nigeria Vice President Osinbajo entered into
high level talks.
“Both vice presidents held talks for the two countries to
amicably settle the matter through the diplomatic channel.
“The talks culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) on May 20 for the unconditional release of MT San Padre Pio
to the Swiss government.
“The MoU also stated that after its release, the vessel
would depart Nigeria’s maritime space, while the Swiss government would proceed
to withdraw the suit from the tribunal,” he explained.
Comments
Post a Comment