By Milcah Tanimu

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has called for the establishment of a special court dedicated to handling cases of crude oil theft. This recommendation was made by Abdulkarim Chukkol, the EFCC’s Director of Investigation, during a session with the House of Representatives special committee on crude oil theft in Abuja.

Chukkol highlighted that in 2019, over 400 cases related to crude oil theft were charged to court, and an additional 200 cases were prosecuted in 2022. He argued that creating a specialized court and updating the legal framework would enhance the EFCC’s ability to effectively combat crude oil theft.

The call for a special court follows similar recommendations made by Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited. In June, Kyari advocated for judicial support in addressing the dual issues of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism. He suggested that a specialized court or expedited hearing processes could significantly impact the effectiveness of legal proceedings related to these offenses.

Kyari emphasized that the success of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and the overall security efforts in the oil sector are heavily reliant on judicial support. He urged that the judiciary consider these measures to ensure that cases of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism are addressed promptly and effectively.

The EFCC’s proposal and Kyari’s recommendations reflect a growing consensus on the need for targeted judicial mechanisms to tackle the pervasive issue of oil theft, which poses a significant threat to the nation’s economy and security.