2 Pipeline Vandals Nabbed

Two suspected pipeline vandals, Kehinde Oremade and Mufutau Folorunsho, have been arrested by operatives of the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos, southwest Nigeria. They were arrested at Ikorodu-Mosimi area, Shagamu, Ogun State, along NNPC right of way with thirty 50-litre jerry cans of petrol.

During interrogation, the men allegedly confessed to the crime, saying they have been vandalising pipelines and siphoning fuel in the area for long. They, however, refused to take the police to the area where they siphoned the thirty 50-litre jerry cans filled with petrol.

After investigations, they were arragned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court charged with felony to wit tampering with petroleum pipelines, property of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. The offences, police prosecutor, DSP Odion Akhaine, said are punishable under Section 3(6) and 7a of the Miscellaneous Offence Act, Cap. M17 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The two-count charge read: “That you, Kehinde Oremade and Mufutau Folorunsho and others at large, on 14 January, 2012 at Ikorodu Mosimi-Shagamu unit along NNPC right of way within the Lagos Sector in Lagos Magistrate District, siphoned 30 pieces of 50 litres jerry cans filled with petrol, property of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation.”

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge, but the prosecutor objected to their bail on the ground of the court’s lack of jurisdiction to hear the matter.

He prayed the court to remand the accused persons in prison to enable the Federal Director of Public Prosecutor, FDPP, provide legal advice for the prosecution of the matter at the High Court.

The magistrate, Mrs. A. F. O. Abegunde Davies, ordered the accused to be remanded in prison, but directed the prosecutor to provide the FDPP documents within 30 days.

She adjourned the matter till 18 February, 2012.

—Paul Iyoghojie