Ten pirates get 12-year jail term for hijacking Chinese vessel

A federal high court sitting in Lagos has sentenced 10 pirates to 12 years imprisonment for hijacking a merchant vessel.

Suleman Dahun, spokesman to the chief of naval staff, said this in a statement on Friday.

In May 2020, the Nigerian navy rescued 18 crew members onboard a Chinese vessel, FV HAILUFENG, from the pirates’ attack.

The 10 suspects were subsequently arrested and charged before the federal high court, Ikoyi on three counts of piracy.

The offense contravenes the provisions of Sections 3, 10, and 12 of the Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offenses Act 2019.

The defendants are Frank Abaka, Jude Ebaragha, Shina Alolo, Joshua Iwiki, David Akinseye, Ahmed Toyin, Shobajo Saheed, Adekole Philip, Matthew Masi, and Bright Agbedeyi.

Delivering judgement on Friday, Ayokunle Faji, the presiding judge, said piracy has been an embarrassment to the nation and has negatively impacted the economy.

Faji said the punishment must be proportionate to the offense to serve as a lesson to others. He therefore sentenced the defendants to 12 years in prison with N250,000 fine on each count.

Labaran Magaji, the lead prosecution counsel, said the verdict would send a strong warning to other criminals that Nigeria has no tolerance for marine crimes and that Nigerian institutions are ready to counter criminal activities.

The defense counsel has, however, promised to appeal the judgement.