Justice A. T Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced fourteen oil thieves to various jail terms for illegal oil bunkering.

The convicts were all arraigned on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, #EFCC, Port Harcourt’s Zonal office, on one-count separate charge bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum products, contrary to Section 4(1) of the Petroleum Act, Cap P10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004 and punishable under Section 4(6) of the same Act.

The count charge read: “That you Mohammed Abba, Adamu Usman and Babangida Audu on or about June, 2018, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did distribute petroleum product (Automotive Gas Oil) with Mack Truck with registration number YLA 112 ZV, without Licence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4(1) of the Petroleum Act, Cap P10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004 and punishable under Section 4(6) of the same Act”.

The defendants pleaded guilty to their one count separate charge when read to them.

In view of their pleas, prosecuting counsels, S. Chime, M.T. Iko and C. Okorie urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. .

But counsels to the defendants (before being convicted): D. G Uduru; M. M Suleiman; Joseph Omogba; A.B Abdulahi and C.N.Wolucho did not oppose the prayers of the prosecution counsels.

Justice Mohammed convicted and sentenced Abba and Usman to two years imprisonment with an option of fine of N100, 000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) each, while the rest 13 (thirteen) defendants were convicted and sentenced to a fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira (100,000.00) each.

They are: Babangida Audu; Chijioke Ali; Muhammad Jamilu; Umaru Hussaini; Ahmadu Adamu; Muhammed Muhammed; Mahmud Girei; Abubakar Mai Nasara; Sadiq Ismaila; Sama’ila Njidda; Mahmud Abdullahi, Chima Onuha and Ismaila Balarebe.

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