Four jailed for oil pipeline vandalism in Delta

By Eguonor Ighure

Four men have been convicted and sentenced to prison for vandalising oil pipelines in Delta, says the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

NSCDC Delta Commandant, Chinedu Igbo, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Asaba.

Igbo said Justice F.A. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court, Asaba, convicted the four defendants on charges of conspiracy and pipeline tampering.

The convicts are Sylvania Elvis, Peter Ojichini, Bala Adey and Joel Emmanuel.

According to the commandant, NSCDC State Intelligence Officers investigated the suspects before their prosecution.

“The court found all four suspects guilty of the offences charged,” Igbo stated.

He said each convict was sentenced to one year imprisonment, having been treated as first-time offenders.

Igbo explained that the sentences were imposed under Section 416(2)(d) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

“The provision restricts courts from imposing maximum sentences on first-time offenders,” he said.

The commandant warned individuals involved in criminal activities to embrace legitimate empowerment opportunities.

“Criminal ventures carry serious consequences and offenders will face the law,” he said.

Igbo reaffirmed the corps’ commitment to protecting residents and safeguarding critical national assets.

“We will continue to protect the people of Delta and the nation’s economic infrastructure from sabotage and criminal attacks,” he added.

(NAN)