EFCC arraigns four men, one vessel over crude oil theft
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, arraigned five defendants before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, over an illegal deal in petroleum products.
The defendants are: Mt Vinnalaris (a vessel), Azeez Abubakar, Wisdom Borborley, Samuel Akpan and Freedom Otuagoma
They appeared before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on a two-counts charge bordering on unlawful deal in petroleum products like crude oil
After listening to the charge which was read to them, they pleaded guilty to the two counts.
Following their plea, the prosecutor Mr R.A. Abdurasheed, told the court that that ready to review the facts of the case, adding that the prosecution has filed the plea bargain agreement with the defendants, before the court.
Consequently, the court adjourned the case until April 25, for adoption of plea bargain agreement but ordered that the defendants remain in custody of the prosecution till then .
In the charge, the defendants were said to have committed the offence sometime in 2023, while on the Nigerian Maritime domain.
They were alleged to have dealt in 515.8 litres of crude oil without lawful authority.
The offence contravenes the provisions of Section 1(17) and 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 Law of the Federation 2004.
