The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned 23 suspected illegal oil bunkers before Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, illegal dealing and storage of petroleum products.
The suspects: Ala Atubokiki Ibanibo, Wole Ajayi, Adesunloye Alexander, Fani Kayode, Captain Daniel Lebile, Micheal Mgbanwa, Segun Ekundemi, Johnson Mashebinu, Ndidi Benjamin, Bright Nwaezuoke, Blessing Omoviye, Kayode Biboye Ireti, Chuks Isiwepkweni, Friday Nchikpa, Peter Bayo, Ubom Amos , Zuopamo Embiowei, Olabamerun Owolemi, Adams Husseini, Ebisingha Timmy, Godwin Oputeh, Ebimie Norwigeh (Still at large) and Olabamerin Damilola Smart (at large) were arrested by the Nigerian Navy aboard MV Long Island and handed over to the EFCC on December 14, 2014 for further investigation and prosecution.
One of the charges reads: “That you, MV Long Island , AFA Global Impex Services Limited, GFL Marine Services Limited, Ala Atubokiki Ibanibo, Wole Ajayi, Adesunloye Alexander, Fani Kayode, Captain Daniel Lebile, Micheal Mgbanwa, Segun Ekundemi, Joghnson Mashebinu, Ndidi Benjamin, Bright Nwaezuoke, Blessing Omoviye, Kayode Biboye Ireti, Chuks Isiwepkweni, Friday Nchikpa, Peter Bayo, Ubom Amos , Zuopamo Embiowei, Olabamerun Owolemi, Adams Husseini, Ebisingha Timmy, Godwin Oputeh, Ebimie Norwigeh (Still at large) and Olabamerin Damilola Smart (now at large) on or about the 2nd day of December 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: dealing in petroleum products without lawful authority or appropriate licence contrary to section 19(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and punishable under the same Act.”
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to them.
Justice Buba granted bail to the accused persons in the sum of N50 million each and one surety in like sum.
The surety must be a resident of Lagos with landed property within the jurisdiction of court.
The case was adjourned to March 23, 24, 25 and April 2, 2015 for commencement of trial.
Also on Wednesday, the EFCC arraigned 11 suspected oil thieves: Ephraim Akpan, Agadagba Ochuko, Clement Tommy, Oyayefa Abonne, Bousou Kereotu, Dereye Harry, Lucky Abonne, Dapo Obdare, Friday Ibude, Ebi Ekokeme, Vincent Elayegha, and the vessel, MT Petroitti before Justice M.S Abubakar of the Federal High Court Warri, Delta State on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and illegal dealing in petroleum product.
The accused persons and their vessel were arrested on May 23, 2014 by officers of the Nigerian Navy following a tip off around Ofoma oil terminal in Delta State, with about 272MT of substance suspected to be crude oil and handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.
They pleaded not guilty.
One of the charges reads: “That you Ephraim Akpan, Agadagba Ochuko, Clement Tommy, Oyayefa Abonne, Bousou Kereotu, Dereye Harry, Lucky Abonne, Dapo Obadare, Friday Ibude, Ebi Ekokeme, Vincent Elayegha, M.T Petroitti, on or about the 23rd day of March, 2014 around Ofoma oil terminal in Delta State within the jurisdiction of this honorable court did without appropriate authority deal with 272 metric tons of crude oil conveyed in MT Petroitti and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (17) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offence Act Cap M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under Section 1 (17) of the same Act.”
In view of their plea, the prosecution counsel, E. Edebor, prayed the court for a date to present his witnesses for commencement of trial.
In response, defendants’ counsel, S. A. Somiari, informed the court that he had filed his motion for bail and assured the court his clients would make themselves available for trial.
Justice Mohammed granted bail to the 11 accused persons in the sum of N1 million and two sureties in like sum.
One of the sureties must have landed properties within the jurisdiction of the court.
The matter was adjourned to May 5, 2015 for trial.
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