The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, has pledged to investigate the corrupt allegations against the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
A statement by Henshaw Ogubike, Director, Information, Press and Public Relations of the ministry revealed this.
According to Ogubike, Matawalle said this while responding to the allegation against the Naval Chief.
Matawalle noted that the administration of President Bola Tinubu had a zero tolerance for corruption in the public service.
The statement said: “Though these allegations might be mischievous, the Ministry of Defence is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability within the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“The allegations leveled against Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla are serious.”
The Minister harped on thorough investigation, saying that it was imperative to emphasise the need for a thorough and impartial investigation to ascertain the truth of the claims.
Speaking on the source of information, Matawalle said: “We respect the role of the media in fostering transparency and holding public figures accountable.
“At the same time, we urge responsible journalism that adheres to the principles of fairness, objectivity, and accuracy.
“Accusations of this nature can have far-reaching consequences on the reputation of individuals and institutions, and thus, it is crucial to avoid premature judgments.”
The Minister further assured the public that in the light of the allegation, the ministry would collaborate fully with relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
Matawalle said: “We remain committed to the principles of due process and fairness, ensuring that findings will be based on concrete evidence and legal standards.
“It is our collective responsibility to maintain the trust and confidence of the Nigerian people in the institutions that safeguard our nation’s security.
“We call for patience as the investigative process unfolds and trust that justice will be served in accordance with the rule of law.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that an online media platform raised the allegations against the Naval Chief.
The medium had alleged Ogalla’s involvement in multibillion-naira oil bunkering and contract-splitting fraud.
It also accused him of receiving a $170 million bribe.
