By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dissociated itself from activities of Pinnacle Trading & Investment Nigeria Ltd, which claimed to have been appointed by the agency to auction impounded petroleum products aboard MT Good Success and MT Asteris.
In a statement issued by its spokesman, the EFCC warned the general public to “refrain from engaging in any activity in relation to the auctioning of any vessel or petroleum product on behalf of the commission.”
The EFCC emphasised that it “has not duly authorized anyone to act on its behalf in that regard.”
It pointed out that the “sources of the fraudulent letter of engagement being paraded by Messrs. Pinnacle Trading & Investment Nig. Ltd. are currently being investigated, with a view to bringing them to book.”
It would be recalled that the vessels and their operators were arrested by the Nigerian Navy, for engaging in illegal activities and handed over to the EFCC.
By virtue of two judgments of Justice I.N Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on December 15, 2015, their operators were convicted and the vessels and their contents totalling 4,882.097 metric ton of Premium Motor Spirit and Crude oil, forfeited to the Federal Government.
The EFCC said for the avoidance of any doubt, it has not entered into any contract with, nor appointed Messrs. Pinnacle Trading & Investment Nig. Ltd., to act on its behalf on any matter, whatsoever.
“Anyone found to be parading himself as an auctioneer or agent under whatever guise in respect of the vessels MT Good Success and MT Asteris and their contents, should be reported to the commission or the nearest police station,” the statement said.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Dipo Olowookere