EFCC Arraigns 8 Suspected Fraudsters for Illegal Dealing in Petroleum Products
By Adetokunbo Fakeye
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, June 16, 2014 arraigned Adedamola Ogungbayibi, Olaniran Olabode, Suraju Gasali, Moses Emmanuel, Wilson Bonsi, Padoun Kayode Jacob, Okparaodi Omaka Uche and Onyeogo Happy, before Justice Saliu Seidu of the Federal High Court, Lagos on a 5-count charge bordering on conspiracy and illegal dealing in petroleum product.
When the charges were read to them, they all pleaded not guilty.
One of the charges reads:
“That you MT Good Success, Hepa Global Energy Limited, Adedamola Ogungbayibi, Olaniran Olabode, Suraju Gasali, Moses Emmanuel, Wilson Bonsi, Padonu kayode Jacob, Okparaodi Omaka Uche and Onyeogo Happy on or about the 19th day of February, 2014 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: dealing in Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) without lawful authority or appropriate licence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 19(6) and punishable under Section 17 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004”.
In view of their pleas, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that he was ready for trial and prayed that the trial be accelerated.
Justice Seidu however granted bail to the eight accused persons in the sum of N5million and two sureties each in like sum- one of whom must be a civil servant on grade level 15. Besides, all the accused persons must summit two passport-sized photographs each to the Court registrar.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter till September 23, 2014.
The accused persons were arrested on February 19, 2014 by officers of the Nigeria Navy while on routine patrol.
The Nigeria Navy Ship, ANDONI intercepted MT GOOD SUCCESS and its crew on the Lagos waters. And upon inquiry, it was discovered that, while MT GOOD SUCCESS had the authority to carry 350 metric tons of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), it was loaded with 1,459 metric tons of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
