Ayodele Olalere
Chief Technical Officer of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Samuel Shuaibu, has told a Special Offences Court, Ikeja,Lagos State, that $8.4million worth of Automotive Gas Oil allegedly stolen by Trafigura Beheer BV and six others, sometimes in 2008, met set standard of regulation agency in Nigeria.
Shuaibu, who is the Prosecution Witness, gave the evidence while been led by the lead counsel to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Rotimi Jacobs SAN, at the resumed hearing of alleged three counts charge of conspiracy, forgery and stealing of over 6000 metric tonnes of AGO belonging to Nadabo Energy Limited.
Trafigura PTE Limited, Yusuf Yahaya Kwande, Mettle Energy and Gas, Rendbrandt Limited, Osahon Asemota and Jil Engineering and Oil Service are standing trial before Justice Mojisola Dada.
According to the prosecution witness, the vessel carrying the AGO – MT Oxy 6 berth at Ibru jetty in December 2008, and the product was tested and confirmed to be suitable for Nigeria market.
He said when the product was tested, it met
the primary parameter of DPR. He said the implications of this is that the AGO is normal and suitable for consumption in Nigeria market.
“I know the vessel called MT Oxy 6. In December 2008, the vessel berth at Ibru jetty, and the captain of the vessel declared quantity on board based on documents submitted by him.
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“The vessel was engaged by Jil Engineering Services. Analysis of the product shown that it met the primary parameter of specification of normal AGO. The AGO that did not meet the primary parameter will be rejected by the DPR.
“The DPR cleared the vessel to Ibafon jetty because the products have satisfied the primary parameter of the specification. The product is within the specification of DPR and the quality of the cargo was declared okay by the regulatory agency.
“We do not participate in the offshore quality analysis of the product. As a result of quality analysis conducted by us, the primary parameter was satisfied. Quality Certificate was issued,” the witness said.
The court admitted as exhibit vital documents detailed role of DPR in the transaction.
List of documents admitted by the court include: Bill of Lading, Quality Certificate of MT. Bonito, haulage documents issued for transshipment from MT. Sikken Province to Oxy 6 and summary of Transfer Certificate Oxy 6 from MT. Efeomo.
The defendants allegedly committed the offences from October 22, 2008 and December 15, 2008. The offence is contrary to Section (383(1), 427 and 516 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State Cap. 17 of 2003.
Justice Dada adjourned the matter to May 2, 2019, for the cross examination of the witness.
