The President, Niger Delta Stakeholders Forum (NSDF), Julius Daukoru has described the period of Rear Admiral Henry Babalola (rtd), was the flag officer Commanding Eastern Naval command of the Nigeria Navy as one of the darkest days were oil thieves and barons illegally had a field day to the destruction of the country’s economy.
Daukoru who was reacting to the Arise TV Morning Show anchored by Rueben Abati on Sunday night, clearly showed the Naval officer worked assiduously for the oil cartel ,hence economical with the truths.
He maintained that the top Naval officer showed lack of dedication, commitment, brilliance with discipline and truth thrown to the wind in the services of his fatherland.
The Group President said Rear Admiral Henry Babalola contradictory and incoherent response was an indicator that he was not only an accomplice in agreement with the baron while in office as Flag officer Commanding Eastern Naval command, but deeply involved in the siphoning of national assets.
He said the allegations against Tantita was misplaced , half truth and fabricated to sooth the whims and caprices of Rear Admiral Henry Babalola and his cohorts , describing it as a national shame and embarrassment.
While asking Rear Admiral Henry Babalola to retract his statement and retrace his years in service as awkward, stating proverbially that the former Naval officer was already a rotten piece of wood that cannot be utilised by a sculptor, no matter how good, stating that he had already built a questionable characters while in and out of service.
Daukoru stressed that the opportunity given to the naval officer to clear his dented image , was a demonstration of the extent of his involvement in collaboration with oil barons to milk the country highly earned foreign exchange, stating that Tantita as one of the early body that struggled against the activities of oil thieves and development of the Niger Delta region, transformed into a formidable security surveillance outfit trailing him and his co- travelers.
He queried the stupendous wealth and assets he acquired while in service both at home and abroad, stating that having spent 35 years in service was not enough to legitimise his ill gotten wealth acquired from the oil cartel/ thieves , illegal bunkerers among other of his collaborators.
“His assets in Abuja, Lagos , and Multi Billion assets in the U.K., the United States of America, offshore including his home state in Ondo is desiring searchlight by the anti graft agencies, stating that he is supposed to be cooling off in a correctional facility.”
Daukoru further described the Navy investment in Rear Admiral Henry Babalola (RTD), as huge loss both to the country and the service.
“It is sad that rather than regretting his ugly days , many years after leaving the Navy, he is still protecting the ugly days he held sway.”
“Tantita is a reputable and recognised security surveillance company who had won many awards on the adequate security of Nigeria’s oil installations and even on Friday, 2nd February, 2024 was rewarded with an award by Nigeria Daily Newspaper, New Telegraph.”
