Indian assisting nationals held in Nigeria on oil theft charge

India today said it was following "regularly" the arrest of 10 Indians in Nigeria a year ago for alleged theft of 158,000 litres of oil by crew of MT Akshay which is a St Kitts and Nevis flagged vessel.
"The High Commission of India has on at least 7 occasions taken the matter up in writing with various authorities. They have had consular access to the detained Indian nationals. They have also assisted them utilising the Indian Community Welfare Fund available with the Mission," the Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry said.
He said the next hearing of their case is on February 6 and a Consular Official will be present.

The HCI Abuja and the Lagos Office of HCI have been following up this case "regularly" which involves allegations of 158,000 litres of oil theft by crew of MT Akshay which is a St Kitts and Nevis flagged vessel, he said, adding the crew was employed by M/s Veesham Shipping, Dubai.
The MT Akshay was detained in January 2013 for allegedly carrying crude without shipping papers, a nomination date or a bunkering permit. The crew on board the vessel included 10 Indian nationals, 11 Nigerians and two Ghanaians.