A prosecution witness, Effa Okim, on Monday told an Ikeja High Court in Lagos State how an oil marketer, Abdullahi Alao, allegedly conspired with others to commit N1.1 billion fuel subsidy fraud.
Okim, an investigative officer with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission testified at the resumption of Alao’s trial.
The accused is the son of prominent Ibadan, Oyo State-based businessman, Alhaji Abdullazeez Arisekola-Alao.
The accused is being prosecuted alongside two other oil marketers, Opeyemi Ajuyah and Olarenwaju Olalusi, and their companies, Majope Investment Limited and Axenergy Limited.
They are facing an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretences, forgery, altering and use of false documents.
Okim, under cross-examination by Alao’s counsel, Aderemi Oguntoye, explained that he was the head of the EFCC subsidy team, which investigated the transaction.
He said their investigations revealed that the marketers imported 15,000 metric tonnes of petroleum products, but only discharged 4,264 metric tonnes at Lister Jetty in Apapa.
According to him, the 4,264 metric tonnes was taken by Oando Plc, while the products remaining on board the vessel, MT Brave, were taken away to an unknown location.
Okim said: “My Lord, the over 10,000 metric tonnes remaining on board was not discharged within our domestic shores.
“We do not know where the products were taken to.”
Okim said the marketers were charged to court because they had obtained the subsidy payment for 15,000, instead of the 4,264 metric tonnes they discharged into the facility.
The matter was adjourned to April 8 for continuation of trial.
Trending
- N14b moved in one hour by Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs — EFCC
- Banks lose over N8b, others $706m to Yahoo Yahoo boys — EFCC Chairman
- FG recovers N57b out of N5.2t debt from 10 MDAs — Official
- Lagos to add 2,231 buses for ease of transportation
- Tinubu approves distribution of 20% palliative through traditional, religious institutions
- For using N18.9b to print N684.5m, Emefiele to face fresh charges
- Spurious FX flows: EFCC freezes over 300 accounts
- Fubara redeploys Wike’s loyalists in cabinet reshuffle