Diversion of PMS: EFCC Arraigns NNPC Sales Reps
Olatomiwa Ajigi
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned the duo of Munzali Ahmed, a Sales Representative of NNPC in Dutse, Jigawa State, and Alex Bala, a Sales Representative of NNPC in Hotoro, Kano State, before Justice Idrissa Kolo of the Federal High Court sitting in Kano, Kano State on one-count charge bordering on diversion of Premium Motor Sprit, PMS.
The accused persons were arrested by operatives of EFCC in March, 2016, following an intelligence report on their activities.
They were said to have sold the product above the approved pump price of N86.00k per little as at then.
The count reads: “That you, Munzali Ahmed and Alex Bala , on 14thMarch, 2016 in Kano within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court wilfully diverted 40, 000 litres of Premium Motor Sprit (PMS) in a truck with Reg. No: GME 804 XA to Danmarke Investment Limited and Munira Petroleum Limited, Zaria, Kaduna State with intent to prevent its distribution from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Kano, Jigawa State and you thereby committed an offence of sabotage under Section 1 (1) (a) of the Petroleum Production and Distribution (Anti-Sabotage) Act, Cap. P12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2010 and punishable under Section 2 of the same Act.”
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.
Prosecution counsel, Salihu Sani, asked the court for a trial date.
However, the defence counsel, Nuraini Jimo, challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter and urged the court to allow the accused persons to continue to enjoy the administrative bail earlier granted them by the Commission.
Consequently, Justice Kolo adjourned the matter to June 24, 2016 for ruling on the bail application by counsel to the accused persons.
The accused persons were ordered to be remanded in prison custody.
