16th September, 2021
Two oil thieves have been convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment each for illegal dealing in petroleum products by Justice S. Pam of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The duo, Lawan Abdulahi and Collins Osayande were convicted on Monday, September 13, 2021 after pleading guilty to one count separate charge bordering on illegal dealings in petroleum products.
The convicts were arraigned by the Port Harcourt’s Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC.
The lone- count charge read: “That you Lawan Abdulahi on or about the 23rd day of June, 2021 at Emohua, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, dealt in petroleum products, to wit: about 15,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) conveyed in Mark Trailer with registration No: LND 410 XP which is not of good quality and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1 (18) (a) (ii) of the of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria), 2007 and punishable under Section 1 (17) of the same Act”
“That you Collins Osayande on or about the 13th day of June, 2021 at Abonima Wharf Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, dealt in petroleum products, to wit: about 20,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) conveyed in Mark Trailer with registration No: MBL 411 XA which is not of good quality and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1 (18) (a) (ii) of the of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria), 2007 and punishable under Section 1 (17) of the same Act”
In view of their “guilty” pleas, prosecuting counsel, I. Agwu urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.
Defence counsel, E.E. Wvwiekpaefe and O.N.Okek did not oppose the prayer of the prosecution, but urged the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants are first- time offenders and had learnt their lessons
Justice Pam convicted and sentenced Lawan Abdulahi to two years imprisonment, with an option of fine of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N150, 000.00) and Collins Osayande to two years imprisonment with an option of fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000.00) payable into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federation.
In addition, the Judge ordered that the cumulative quantities of petroleum products found in the trucks with registration numbers: LND 410 XP and MBL 411 XA estimated to be about 45, 000 litres of AGO be sold by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court in conjunction with the Secretary of the EFCC or any authorized officer by him and the proceeds paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund account of the Federation.
Abdulahi and Osayande’s journey to the Correctional Centre began when they were arrested by the Anti-bunkering team of the 6 Division, Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with two trucks loaded with products suspected to be illegally- refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and handed over to the EFCC for investigation and prosecution.