EFCC arraigns eight suspected illegal oil dealers in Lagos

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Office, has arraigned eight suspected illegal oil dealers and a vessel, M.V. Laida, before Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on a three-count charge.

In a statement by the commission’s Head, Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the suspects were charged yesterday for alleged conspiracy and illegal dealing in 351 metric tonnes of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

The defendants, Stephen John Degbe; Bode Shofela; Emmanuel Esalet; Aderibigbe Jeje; Peter Atijere Ekpe; Dayang Nantok Ibrahim; Adewunmi Oguntifa; and Samuel Alabi, were arrested alongside the vessel by the Nigeria Navy and handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.

The defendants, who were accused of attempting to export 351 metric tonnes of petroleum products, which is punishable under section 1(7) of the miscellaneous offense Act, CAP M17, law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, pleaded ‘not guilty’ and all the defendants were granted bail in sum of N10 million each, with a surety in like sum.

The judge ordered the defendants to be remanded in prison custody until their bail conditions are met and adjourned the matter till October 20, 2020, for continuation of trial.
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