EFCC Arraigns Two Oil Pipeline Vandals

SAN FRANCISCO, February 08, (THEWILL) - The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Friday arraigned two suspects, Elot Ekpe and Henshaw Bassey before Justice Suleiman A. Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt on a two count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit felony to wit: tampering with oil Pipeline.

The suspects who allegedly damaged and destroyed Shell pipeline at Erinemukhwarien community pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read and interpreted to them in Pidgin language.

Count one of the charge reads; “that you Elot Ekpe and Henshaw Bassey on about the 16th day of October, 2012 at Eriemukhwarien, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: Tampering with oil Pipeline, without lawful authority and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3(6) and punishable under Section 1 (17) (A) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Act 2007”.

The second count reads; “that you Elot Ekpe and Henshaw Bassey on about the 16th day of October, 2012 at Eriemukhwarien, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court without lawful authority wilfully and maliciously damaged and destroyed Shell pipeline at Erinemukhwarien community and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (17) (A) and punishable under Section 1 (17) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Act 2007”.

In view of their plea and absence of a defence counsel, EFCC counsel, F.O Dibang, prayed the court for a trial date and that the accused persons are remanded in prison custody. Justice Aliyu adjourned the case till April 11, 2013 for trial and order that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody.