EFCC Arraigns Six Suspected Oil Thieves
By Adetokunbo Fakeye
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Tuesday arraigned six suspected oil thieves; Adelaja David, Adedara Temitope, Bayo Edema, Alowakenu Mathew, Ojga Aghedo, Dauda Usman alongside their Vessel, MT CERGEN D, before Justice Iyang E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on a two-count charge bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum product. They pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The accused according to EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren were arrested sometime in Mach, 2014 by men of the Central Naval Command, Nigerian Navy, Yenagoa alongside their vessel, loaded with 2,356,000 litres of suspected crude oil and were handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.
Count one of the charge reads; “that Adelaja David, Adedara Temitope, Bayo Edema, Alowakenu Mathew, Ojga Aghedo, Dauda Usman, Otasowie Harrison Nosa (now at large) being crew members on board MT CERGEN D on or about the 18th day March, 2014 at Fish Town, Sengana Community, Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa 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 Offence Act, Cap M17 of the revised edition (laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under section 1(17) of the same Act”.
In view of their plea, the prosecution counsel J.N. Dogonyaro asked the court for a date to commence trial but the defence counsel, D.O. Ejinyere presented a formal bail application.
Justice Ekwo granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N1, 000,000 (One Million Naira) and one surety each in like sum. The surety must be resident and own a landed property within the Jurisdiction of the Honourable Court.
The court also ordered that the accused persons should not leave the Jurisdiction without the permission of the court.
The matter was adjourned to October 8, 9 and 10, 2014 for commencement of trial.