Auctioneer: EFCC Disowns Pinnacle Trading & Investment Nig. Ltd

By AMOS DUNIA (ABUJA)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday totally dissociated itself from the activities of one Messrs. Pinnacle Trading & Investment Nig. Ltd. that is allegedly parading themselves as auctioneers purportedly appointed by the Commission to dispose of impounded petroleum products aboard MT Good Success and MT Asteris.
The anti-graft Agency, therefore, advised members of the public to refrain from engaging in any activity in relation to the auctioning of any vessel or petroleum product on behalf of the Commission, stressing that the EFCC has not duly authorized anyone to act on its behalf in that regard.
A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren said 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.
The EFCC recalled that the vessels and their operators were arrested by the Nigerian Navy, for engaging in illegal activities and later handed over to the Commission.
According to Uwujaren; “By virtue of two judgments of Justice I.N Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on 15th December, 2015, their operators were convicted and the vessels and their contents totaling 4,882.097 metric ton of Premium Motor Spirit and Crude oil, forfeited to the Federal Government.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, EFCC 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 apprehended and handed over to the Commission or the nearest police station.”