EFCC Arraigns Businessman Over Stolen Crude Oil
By Adetokunbo Fakeye
Nigeria anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Wednesday arraigned one Elder Christopher Andrew Isibor before Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on a 3-count charge bordering on conspiracy and illegal dealing in stolen crude oil.
The suspect was arraigned sequel to a petition by the Economic and Organized Crime Office, EOCO, Ghana alleging that the accused person is into piracy, stealing and money laundering alongside a Ghanaian marketer, Auxesia Energy Limited. During investigations it was discovered that some Nigeria companies, Earth Petroleum Development Limited, Spiral Oil and Gas Limited, hijacked a Vessel MT Sollueshing in March, 2013 and used it to convey 167,000 metric Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) stolen from Nigerian creeks and transported to Ghana.
One of the counts reads: ‘that you Elder Christopher Andrew Isibor “M” being a director of Earth Petroleum Development Limited, Earth Petroleum Development Limited and David A. O. Akhigbe “M” (now at large) sometimes between March, 2013 to August, 2013 between Nigeria and Ghana within the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court with intent to defraud the Federal Government of Nigeria of the revenue accruing there from and without the permission of the appropriate authority, exported 167,000 Metric tons of Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) out of Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1(8) (a) and (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004”.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge when read to him.
Justice Buba granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000,000 (Five Hundred Million Naira Only) and two sureties in like sum.
The prosecution counsel, Haruna Abdulkadir asked the court to remand the accused person in prison custody pending the perfection of the bail terms, a prayer which was granted by Justice Buba.
The judge adjourned the case to 18th June 2015 for the commencement of trial.
