The Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, on Tuesday February 26, 2013, arraigned seven suspected oil
thieves before Justice A. M. Liman of the Federal High Court 1, Benin
City, on separate charges bordering on conspiracy and illegal dealing in
Petroleum Products.
The
accused persons: Paul Ojo, Oduwere Edobor, Lucky Okorie, Andrew
Anthony, Kadiri Aloysious, James Aker and Lucky Egbede who were arrested
at locations and dates, had in their possessions a truck, bus and kegs
loaded with litres of substance suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil
(AGO). They all pleaded not guilty to the charges respectively.
One
of the charges against them reads, ”that you Paul Ojo and Oduwere
Edobor and others now at large on or about the 21st day of January,
2013, along Sapele Road, Benin City, within the jurisdiction of this
Honourable Court did conspire with each other to commit felony to wit
dealing in Petroleum Products without appropriate authority and thereby
committed an offence contrary to Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous
Offences Act CAP M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of
Nigeria) Act. 2007 and punishable under section 1(17) of the same Act.”
The
charges against others read, “that you Lucky Okorie, Andrew Anthony,
Kadiri Aloysious and James Aker and others now at large on or about the
22nd day of December, 2012, at Ekewan Road, Benin City, within the
jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire among yourselves to
commit felony to wit dealing in Petroleum Products without appropriate
authority and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3(6) of
the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of
the Federation of Nigeria) Act. 2007 and punishable under section 1(17)
of the same Act.”Justice Liman granted them bail in the sum of N500, 000 (five hundred thousand naira) and a surety in like sum respectively. Sureties must have landed property which title deed must be sighted and verified by the bailiff of the court.
The matter has been adjourned to 26th March and 17th April, 2013 for trial respectively.
Wilson Uwujaren
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
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