The Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, 27
July, 2016 arraigned five suspected oil thieves: Sokari Iminabo; Segun Olagunju; Uche Emmaneul, Obinna Ezinne and Tiny
Patience before Justice I.J.Watilla of the Federal High Court, sitting in Port
Harcourt, Rivers State on a two count charge bordering on illegal dealing in
petroleum products.
The suspects were
arrested on 26 April, 2016 at Anyako waterside in Sama Community, Asari Toru Local Government, Rivers State by
troops of the 130 Battalion of the Nigerian Army. At the point of arrest, the
suspects were in possession of a locally constructed metal tank, housed in a
Man Diesel truck with registration number SOKOTO XA 614 BDN to convey illegally
refined Automative Gasoline Oil (AGO) concealed in poultry feeds.
They pleaded not
guilty when the charges were read to them.
Count one of the
charge read: "that Sokari Iminabo,
Segun Olagunju, Uche Emmaneul, Obinna Ezinne, Tiny Patience and Adebowale John
(now at large) on or about the 26th April, 2016 at Anyako waterside in Sama
Community of Asari Toru Local Government, Rivers State within the jurisdiction
of this honourable court did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit;
dealing in petroleum product 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”.
In view of their
pleas, prosecution counsel J.N. Dogonyaro asked for a trial date. However, the
defence counsels: C.I.Akpudi,
M.O.Nkwocha, Greg Okenili, H.N,Emiremi moved different applications for the
bail of the suspects.
Justice Watilla
admitted them to bail on the following conditions: 1st defendant was granted
bail in the sum of Two Million Naira and two sureties in like sum. The sureties
must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court. The 2nd, 3rd and 5th
defendants were also granted bail in the sum of Two Million Naira each and two
sureties each in like sum; each surety must have a landed property within the
jurisdiction of the court and one of the sureties must be a civil servant on
grade level 10 and above. The 4th defendant was also granted bail in the sum of
Four Million Naira only and a surety in like sum. The defendant must deposit
his International Passport with the court and report every Monday to sign
attendance at the court's registry.
The judge ordered
that all the defendants be remanded in prison custody until they meet their
bail conditions and adjourned the matter to 14 September, 2016 for hearing.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media &
Publicity
27th July, 2016
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