EFCC Re-arraigns 8 Suspected Oil Thieves
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, on Thursday re-arraigned Adedamola Ogungbayibi, Olaniran Olabode, Suraju Gasali, Moses Emmanuel, Wilson Bonsi, Padoun Kayode Jacob, Okparaodi Omaka Uche and Onyeogo Happy before Justice O.E. Abang of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on a 5-count charge bordering on conspiracy and illegal dealing in petroleum product.
They were originally arraigned before Justice Saliu Seidu of the same court on June 16, 2014.
The defendants got into trouble on February 19, 2014, when they were arrested by men of the Nigerian Navy who were on routine patrol. The Nigeria Navy Ship ANDONI intercepted MT Good Success and its sixteen member crew , along the Lagos waters. At the time of arrest, it was discovered that while MT Good Success had authority to carry 350 metric tons of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), it was loaded with 1,459 metric tons of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). Officers of the Nigeria Navy then handed over the vessel, its contents and crew members to the EFCC for further investigations.
Count one of the charge 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 Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) without lawful authority or appropriate license 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”.
When the charges were read to the accused persons, they pleaded not guilty.
Justice Abang admitted the accused persons to bail on terms previously offered by court and adjourned the case to August 29, 2014, for continuation of trial.
