Nigeria: Pirates Heavily Fined under New Law
Three men convicted of hijacking a ship in March have each been fined a hefty cash sum under Nigeria’s new anti-piracy law.
Under this law, fines are levied to modern-day pirates in lieu of prison sentences.
According to reports, nine individuals hijacked the tanker, “MV Elobey VI”, off the coast of Equatorial Guinea, where maritime kidnappings are extremely rife.
The suspects allegedly demanded a $2 million ransom for the kidnapped crew’s release – in mid-May, the captives were freed following a payment of $200 000.
After members of the Nigerian navy apprehended the hijackers, three of the suspects – comprising two Nigerian citizens and a foreign national – pleaded guilty to two counts of piracy.
Appearing in Port Harcourt’s High Court earlier this week, the trio were each fined $52 000 for their involvement in the hijacking.
Bashir Jamoh – the director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency – welcomed the verdict, saying: “This will serve as a deterrent to other criminal elements who are still engaged in the nefarious activities on our waterways.”
The remaining six defendants, pleading not guilty to all charges, will stand trial.
