The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Tuesday February 26, 2013, arraigned seven suspected oil thieves before Justice A. M. Liman of the Federal High Court 1, Benin City, on separate charges bordering on conspiracy and illegal dealing in Petroleum Products. The accused persons: Paul Ojo, Oduwere Edobor, Lucky Okorie, Andrew Anthony, Kadiri Aloysious, James Aker and Lucky Egbede who were arrested at locations and dates, had in their possessions a truck, bus and kegs loaded with litres of substance suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). They all pleaded not guilty to the charges respectively.
One of the charges against them reads, ”that you Paul Ojo and Oduwere Edobor and others now at large on or about the 21st day of January, 2013, along Sapele Road, Benin City, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire with each other to commit felony to wit dealing in Petroleum Products without appropriate authority and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Act. 2007 and punishable under section 1(17) of the same Act.”
The charges against others read, “that you Lucky Okorie, Andrew Anthony, Kadiri Aloysious and James Aker and others now at large on or about the 22nd day of December, 2012, at Ekewan Road, Benin City, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit dealing in Petroleum Products without appropriate authority and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Act. 2007 and punishable under section 1(17) of the same Act.”
Justice Liman granted them bail in the sum of N500, 000 (five hundred thousand naira) and a surety in like sum respectively. Sureties must have landed property which title deed must be sighted and verified by the bailiff of the court.
The matter has been adjourned to 26th March and 17th April, 2013 for trial respectively.
Wilson Uwujaren Ag. Head, Media & Publicity 26th February, 2013
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