EFCC Arraigns 14 Suspected Oil Thieves
SAN FRANCISCO, June 26, (THEWILL) – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, 25 June, 2013 arraigned Abu Ali Jibia, Akume Surprise, Boglo Babatunde, Umar Mohammed, Nafiu Hussain, Ibrahim Yakubu, Calvin Ajike, Alhassan Oseni, Kenneth Osei, Korlee Uebari, Habourpoint Nigeria Limited, Chidodo Access Oil & Gas Limited and Millennium Jetty and Marine Services Limited before Justice James Tsoho of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on a 5-count charge bordering on illegal oil bunkering.
When the charges were read to the defendants, they all pleaded not guilty.
One of the charges read: "that you Abu Ali Jibia, Akume Surprise, Boglo Babatunde, Umar Mohammed, Nafiu Hussain, Ibrahim Yakubu, Calvin Ajike, Alhassan Oseni, Kenneth Osei, Korlee Uebari, Habourpoint Nigeria Limited, Chidodo Access Oil & Gas Limited and Millennium Jetty and Marine Services Limited on or about the 22nd day of May, 2013 at Liberty Jetty, Marina, Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria conspired to commit a felony to wit: carry out an act for which a license is required under the Petroleum Act without lawful authority or appropriate licence contrary to section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 77, Laws of the Federation 1990”.
The prosecuting counsel, A. B. C Ozioko asked for a trial date and prayed the court to remand all the accused persons in prison custody with the exception of the 2nd accused who is the captain of the ship. Ozioko prayed the court to remand him in EFCC custody in order for him to lead investigators to the vessel.
Defence counsel, Nelson Ohaji, while opposing the prayer of the EFCC counsel, informed the court that all the defendants had filed applications for bail and pleaded that they be remanded in EFCC custody if their applications were not considered.
Justice Tsoho adjourned the case to June 28, 2013 for hearing on bail applications and ordered that all the accused persons be remanded in Ikoyi prison with the exception of the 2nd accused person who was ordered to be remanded in EFCC custody.