Heroic Idun leaves Nigeria
VLCC — detained since August 2022 — released after owners and crew enter a plea bargain with Nigerian government
In addition to pleading guilty to charges, including oil theft, the crew agreed to pay conviction fines and restitution to the Nigerian government and make an apology in print and electronic media as well as in Lloyd’s List. After all these conditions were fulfilled, the vessel was released offshore Nigeria’s Atlantic Coast on May 27
THE Nigerian government has formally released and handed over the very large crude carrier Heroic Idun (IMO: 9858058) after owners Idun Maritime fulfilled the conditions of a plea bargain, local media reported.
The crew are finally able to leave Nigeria after the tanker owner and the 26 crew made a plea bargain with the government at a court hearing in January.
This puts an end to their saga, which included being detained by the Equatorial Guinea Navy for more than 80 days.
The crew of Heroic Idun were accused of evading the Nigerian Navy on August 8, after being ordered to load a cargo of oil from the Akpo terminal.
The vessel had fled Nigerian waters after being approached by the navy, which it mistook for pirates. It was then detained by the Equatorial Guinea navy at the request of Nigeria and eventually sent back to Nigeria under armed guard.
In addition to pleading guilty to charges, including that of oil theft, they also agreed to pay conviction fines and restitution to the Nigerian government and make an apology in print and electronic media as well as Lloyd’s List. In exchange, the government agreed not to further criminally prosecute and/or investigate the vessel, her owners, charterers or her crew in the matter of her crime against the state.
The apology in Lloyd’s List was published on May 12 and a local Nigerian newspaper on May 18.
Having fulfilled all the required conditions, the vessel was released to its owners offshore the Atlantic Coast of Nigeria's Rivers State on May 27.
Lloyd’s List Intelligence data shows Heroic Idun setting off at 0012 hrs on May 28 from Bonny in Nigeria where it had been forced to anchor under armed guard since November 11. The vessel is signalling it is bound for Cape Town in South Africa where it is due to arrive on June 6.
