Naval chief calls for special maritime court to hasten justice delivery

Emmanuel Ogalla, chief of naval staff (CNS), has called for the creation of special courts for maritime crimes to hasten justice delivery.

Ogalla spoke on Thursday at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), in Enugu state, at the faculty of social sciences’ 2024 distinguished annual public lecture titled “Safeguarding Nigeria’s blue economy potentials: The Role of the Nigerian Navy.”

The naval chief stated that the special courts would also serve as a deterrent to illegal maritime activities.

He noted that cases involving maritime crimes handed over to the police and prosecuting agencies often experience delays due to overcrowded dockets in general courts.

The CNS harped on the importance of the blue economy to Nigeria, noting that maritime security challenges multiply as Nigeria’s population grows and the global supply chain becomes increasingly integrated.

“However, this growth also brings a multidimensional increase in maritime crimes,” Ogalla said.

“The Nigerian Navy has demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring a secure environment necessary to safeguard the nation’s blue economy potentials.

“However, the continued success of these efforts will require increased support and collaboration from all stakeholders.”

Ogalla urged local communities to play a greater role in combating maritime crimes within the blue economy.

He added that the Navy is enhancing community outreach by offering educational and health programmes, specialised skills training, and partnerships with riverine communities.

Aloysius Okolie, vice-chancellor of Enugu state University of Science and Technology, who chaired the event, commended Ogalla for delivering the lecture.

Okolie attributed rising levels of kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism to a “breakdown of social contracts and moral values”.

“One of the reasons for the present insecurity in the country is because some of the perpetrators are not engaged in useful ventures as a result of the breakdown of social contracts and morals,” he said.

Also speaking, Polycarp Chigbu, UNN’s acting vice-chancellor, described Ogalla’s visit as a “testament to his commitment to dialogue, intellectual engagement, and national development”.

He added that UNN admires “the transformations Ogalla has led since his appointment as CNS by President Bola Tinubu.”

Chigbu also requested support from the navy for infrastructure and facility development at UNN.