FG arraigns 10 pirates for hijacking fishing vessel

FG arraigns 10 pirates for hijacking fishing vessel

FG arraigns 10 pirates for hijacking fishing vessel

FG arraigns 10 pirates for hijacking fishing vessel

About 10 pirates have been arraigned by the Federal Government on Monday for allegedly hijacking a fishing vessel.

The fishing vessel named FV Hai Lu Feng II, belongs to Haina Fishing Company.

The alleged pirates who are said to be living in Nigeria are identified as Frank Abaka, Jude Ebaragha, Shina Alolo, Joshua Iwiki, David Akinseye, Ahmed Toyin, Shobajo Saheed, Adekole Philip, Matthew Masi and Bright Agbedeyi.

They were arraigned on three counts at the Federal High Court in Lagos before Justice Ayokunle Faji.

The prosecution, which is the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, told the court that the defendants “while armed with weapons, committed an illegal act of violence against the crew on board FV Hai Lu Feng II, a fishing vessel belonging to Haina Fishery Company, by putting them in fear in order to take control of the vessel.”

Laraban Magaji, the prosecuting counsel for the Federal Government, said that the defendants carried out the act in May this year on the international water at Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire.

They violated Section 3 of Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act 2019 and were liable to punishment under Section 2 of the same Act.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.

Justice Faji ordered that they should be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Navy while adjourning the case till July 15, 2020, for the hearing of the defendants’ bail applications and commencement of trial.

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The Nigerian Navy brought them to court amidst heavy security.

 

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