Ex-Minister Arrested for Oil Theft

A former Minister Of Interior ,Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho has reportedly been arrested in Lagos.He was picked up in connection with alleged oil theft.Investigations into a company linked to him led to his arrest.

The ex minister is believed to have been handed over to the State Security Service,SSS as investigations continue into the affair. Iheanacho had a controversial tenure as a minister as he was suspended only to be reinstated and later laid off.

While announcing the suspension of the minister in April 2011 in  a statement Mr. Ima Niboro who was then , Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity said: “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has ordered the immediate suspension of Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho as Minister of Interior and member of the Federal Executive Council.

“Capt. Iheanacho has been directed to hand over to the Minister of Labour, Mr. Emeka Wogu, who will, in addition to his present portfolio, oversee that ministry.”

Reports at the time said Olisa Metuh a PDP topshot from the South East lamented what he called at the time the disloyalty of then minister to the ruling party in his home state saying he had asked the president to call him to order whilst also directing the Imo State chapter to set up a disciplinary committee to investigate his activities and recommend necessary sanction against him. Metuh added then that “The president has shown that he is a peaceful man and that he has a listening ear.

But Iheanacho’s arrest on Saturday which came as a surprise to outsiders is bound to generate intense interest.A security official reportedly said the ongoing arrests may help stem the tide of oil theft on Nigeria’s waters.

However many are of the opinion that Iheanacho's Arrest may not be unconnected with the accusation of Anti-Party activites leveled against him for associating with Rochas Okorocha.

Nevertheless there is no smoke without fire, An Earlier report as follows:

"Officials of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and armed forces personnel operating under the Global West Vessel Specialist Limited (GWVSL) Thursday invaded the depot of the Integrated Oil and Gas Limited at Apapa over an allegation that the company received stolen petroleum products.GWVSL, a firm believed to be owned by a former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo is executing a contract worth $103.4 million, about N15 billion for the supply 20 vessels for the use of the military authorities to secure the waterways.

Acting on a tip-off, officials of NIMASA, State Security Services (SSS) and military personnel operating under GWVSL yesterday tracked a cargo “M. T. Grace” allegedly laden with stolen petroleum products to the tank farm of Integrated Oil and Gas Limited.

The security personnel took over the company’s tank farm, arrested some workers, including one Captain Nicholas Okotie, who was alleged to have been transporting hijackers of vessels to the high sea.
But in a swift reaction, the Chairman of the Integrated Oil and Gas Limited, Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho, told reporters last night that the invasion was part of the orchestrated campaigns to damage his reputation and destroy his businesses."