The Federal High Court, Calabar has sentenced 16 persons to life imprisonment for adulterating 100 tons of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) in Cross River.

But defense counsel, Mr. Richard Oyiwona, said his clients would appeal the ruling, expressing confidence that that they would get a favourable at the upper court.

In the amended four-count charge signed by prosecution counsel, O. A. Adebolu, on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation, the 16 persons and others at large were said to have on July 7, 2014, conspired to adulterate and convey the said quantity along the Brass River through a vessel named MV ALEZZA LILAH.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, who found the accused persons guilty yesterday, sentenced each of them to 10 years on count one, 10 years on count three, life imprisonment on count two and another life imprisonment on count four and all are to run concurrently from July 7.

Accordingly, the judge ruled that all items recovered from them must be handed over to the Federal Government.

The Deputy Commandant, Bayelsa State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Aniekan Udoeyop, said the convicted persons were arrested by the Joint Task Force (JTF) before being handed over for prosecution.

He noted that “illegality in all businesses is criminal. This life imprisonment should send a dangerous signal to all that think that they can make fast money. I think it is high time they steered clear.”

Also speaking, Mr. Kingsley Nwachukwu, who represented the prosecuting counsel in court, cautioned against fraudulent practices, saying, “it pays no one and is capable of destroying the economy of the country”.

The convicts included Egbayelo Charles, Lawrence Sosoo, Iboho Allen, Obiora Sunday, Akpan Wisdom, Isaac Esien and Kingsley Anighoro.

Others are Simeon Ohinomado, Ime Ubong, Joseph Thomas, Nseh Obot, Second Philip, Undubiri Prebai, Emmanuel Abel, Edmund Okoye and Baba Mathew.