Court Jails Two Persons for Illegal Oil Dealing

Court Jails Two Persons for Illegal Oil Dealing
Justice F. O. Riman of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom on Friday November 9, 2018, sentenced the duo of Suleiman Adamu and Ibrahim Usman to one year imprisonment each for illegally conveying petroleum product without proper licensing.

The convicts were arrested on April 11, 2018 at Abak road military checkpoint in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state by men of the Nigerian Army – 2 Brigade, Uyo, and later handed over to the Uyo Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC for investigation and prosecution.

They were caught with 190 large cellophane bags of the product loaded in a truck with Kano Registration number: KNC 145 XA.

Following their guilty plea to the one-count charge of illegally dealing in Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) preferred against them, Adamu and Usman were convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of fine of Twenty Thousand Naira (N20,000) each.

While delivering judgement, Justice Riman stated that even though both parties agreed to and entered a plea bargain agreement, the plea bargain does not derogate the objective of the criminal proceeding and forfeiture of proceeds of the crime.

He added, “Since an appellant cannot be allowed to enjoy the proceeds of the crime, forfeiture will also serve as a deterrent. The accused persons are hereby sentenced to one year imprisonment from date of arrest or pay a fine of N20,000 each, while the product be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria”.

Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
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Court Convicts Company for Issuance of Dud Cheque
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has secured the conviction of Em-Lette Nigeria Limited on a one count charge of issuance of dud cheque to the tune of N8.9million before Hon. Justice O.O. Goodluck of an FCT High Court, Abuja.

In a petition dated July 8, 2013 which was forwarded to the Commission by one Barrister B.O Olusola & Co. on behalf of Stallion Group Nigeria Limited, one Mrs Ngozi Ibeka, Managing Director, Em-Lette Nigeria Limited and her company (Em-Lette Nigeria Limited) were alleged to have issued the cheques, which upon presentation for payment, were dishonoured due to insufficient funds in the account.

The matter was investigated and the convicts charged to the FCT High Court before Hon. Justice Valentine Ashi on a 14-count charge.

In proof of its case, EFCC called three witnesses, with evidences tendered.

However, in 2017, the case was reassigned to Hon. Justice O.O Goodluck of the FCT High Court, Maitama. The defendants were re-arraigned and trial started de novo.

Thereafter, the defendants through their defence counsel, one Barr. Husseni Abdulrahman, approached the Commission with a plea bargain which was accepted. Accordingly, the defendants made a refund of N8,990,000.00 via bank draft to the complainant.

Consequently, the charge was amended to a single count of issuance of dud cheque against Em-Lette Nigeria Ltd.

On November 6, 2018, the amended charge was read to the defendant, represented by Ibeka, and she pleaded guilty on behalf of the company.

In the judgement delivered in November 6, 2018, Justice O.O. Goodluck convicted the defendant and imposed a fine of N150,000 on the company. The convict paid the fine to the court.

Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity