Nigerian Court Sentences 10 Pirates to 12 Years

Last week, we published an #AreteDeepDive analysis on the importance of a milestone conviction of pirates in Togo and what it means for shipping operators in West Africa. You can read the article here.

In the article, we predicted that the ruling could lead to meaningful sentences being handed down in the future across the region, and on July 23 it was reported that a Federal High court in Lagos, Nigeria sentenced 10 pirates to 12 years imprisonment for abducting the crew of a Chinese-flagged vessel (full article on the landmark convictions here).

Our prediction aside, this latest sentencing in Lagos, Nigeria could mean the tide is changing positively for security on West African waters, or alternatively, it could just be regional politics in play with states not wanting to be seen to be ‘lacking’ when compared alongside their neighbours. Continue to follow #AreteDeepDive for further updates and analysis on this developing situation.

Please email us at info@arete-group.com if you are trading in the Gulf of Guinea; we are constantly monitoring the situation in the region, and provide services to companies operating offshore, inshore and onshore. These services include embarking Risk Management Consultants (RMCs) on clients’ vessels and platforms offshore to coordinate Security Patrol Vessel (SPV) activity and provide training and drills for your crews in counter-piracy.