EFCC begins trial of Arisekola-Alao, two others over N1.1b fuel subsidy fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday began the trial of an oil marketer, Abdullahi Arisekola-Alao, over an alleged N1.1 billion fuel subsidy fraud.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abdullahi, son of prominent Ibadan-based businessman, Alhaji Abdullazeez Arisekola-Alao, is being prosecuted before Justice Lateefat Okunnu of an Ikeja High Court.
He was charged to court, alongside two other oil marketers, Opeyemi Ajuyah and Olarenwaju Olalusi, and their companies, Majope Investment Limited and Axenergy Limited.
The accused persons are facing an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretences, forgery, altering and use of false documents.
During Monday’s proceedings, the EFCC’s counsel, Francis Usani, called the prosecution’s first witness, Brenda Ataga, to testify against the accused persons.
Ataga, a staff of Oando Oil and Gas Plc, told the court that Majope Investment Limited had entered into an agreement with Oando Oil and Gas Plc in 2010.
She said the agreement was for Majope Investment Limited to supply 15,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit to Lister Jetty Facility being used by Oando Plc.
The witness said: “The product was supposed to be supplied not later than January 4, 2011 but the ship did not arrive until January 20, 2011.
“We appointed Q and Q Control Services Limited to inspect the quality and quantity of the products being brought into the facility.
“At the end of the day, instead of supplying the 15,000 metric tonnes as agreed, Majope Investment Limited discharged about 4,700 metric tonnes into the facility.”
Ataga said when she contacted Ajuyah, she was told that the discharge was suspended due to the cost of demurrage the vessel had incurred off-shore.
She said Oando Oil and Gas Plc paid Majope Investment Limited about N320 million for the 4,700 metric tonnes of PMS discharged into its facility.
The EFCC, however, alleged that Ajuyah, after the said transaction, conspired with Alao and others, to fraudulently obtain subsidy payment for 15,000 metric tonnes from the Federal Government.
The judge adjourned the matter till May 14 for continuation of trial.
NAN.