Court Jails Captain, Vessel In Lagos
Justice L.N. Oweibo of Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, July 9, 2020 convicted and sentenced Captain Peter Okomi to three years imprisonment. Also convicted and sentenced was his company, Moyitok Nigeria Ltd and a vessel, M.V. Agbeke, for illegal dealing in petroleum products.
The convicts were prosecuted by the Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on three-count charges to which they pleaded guilty, following their arrest by officers of the Nigerian Navy and subsequent hand over to the EFCC for investigation and prosecution.
One of the charges read: “M.V. Agbeke, Moyitok Nigeria Limited, and Peter Okomi, on the 21st day of January, 2020, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, without appropriate license, dealt in 100 metric tonnes of Automative Gas Oil (AGO) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3 (6) of the Miscellaneous Offence Act, Cap. M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and punishable under Section 1 (17) of the same Act.”
Upon their guilty pleas,, prosecution counsel, Mohammed Idris, reviewed the facts of the case and prayed the court to convict and sentence Okomi accordingly. He also urged the court to order the forfeiture of the vessel and the 100 metric tonnes of Automative Gas Oil (AGO, diesel) it conveyed to the Federal government of Nigeria, being proceeds of unlawful activity.
Justice Oweibo convicted and sentenced Okomi to one year imprisonment on each of the three counts, which run concurrently. He also ordered the forfeiture of the vessel, MV Agbeke and the 100 metric tonnes of diesel recovered from it to the Federal government of Nigeria, and directed the EFCC to collaborate with relevant government or non- governmental agency to sell the vessel and the petroleum product on board the vessel within a reasonable time and remit the proceeds into Consolidated Revenue Funds.
In a similar development, the Lagos Office of the Commission, today arraigned 10 suspected illegal oil dealers alongside a vessel, MV CX Fleet 1, before Justice Oweibo on three-count charges bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum products to the tune of 100 metric tonnes of Automative Gas Oil (AGO).
The defendants, Christopher Ewgeregor; Emeka Chidiebere; Erekedomene Lawrence; Okorie Collins Chukwuma; Julius Makingbene; Ededeni Bassey Okon; James Joshua; Kingsley Tamumobelema Ibiabuo, Iyobasogie Victor and Ajenu Michael were arrested alongside the vessel by the Nigeria Navy and handed over to the EFCC for prosecution.
One of the charges read: “That you, Christopher Ewgeregor, Emeka Chidiebere, Erekedomene Lawrence,Okorie Collins Chukwuma, Julius Makingbene,Ededeni Bassey Okon, James Joshua, Kingsley Tamumobelema Ibiabuo, Iyobasogie Victor and Ajenu Michael, arrested alongside a vessel MV CX FLEET 1, by the Nigeria Navy on the 3rd day of February 2020, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired amongest yourselves to commit an offence to wit: dealing in 100 meric tonnes of Automative Gas Oil (AGO), without appropriate licence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 1(7) of the same Act” They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Consequent upon their pleas, prosecuting cousel, Mohammed Idris, prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded in Nigeria Correctional Service, NCS.
However, defence counsels, Malizu Iwudoh and Earnest Usiwoma Orofa, prayed the court to grant the defendants bail on liberal terms.
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Justice Oweibo granted them bail in the sum of N2 million each and to provide four sureties, who must be civil servants of not less than Grade Level 10, residing within the jurisdiction of the court, adding that the defendants have only 10 days period of grace to perfect their bail conditions, failure of which they shall remain in Nigeria Correctional Services,( NCS).
He adjourned the matter till October 8, 2020, for the continuation of the trail.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
09/07/2020
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Court Jails Internet Fraudster in Ilorin
Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of Kwara State High Court, Ilorin on Thursday, July 9, 2020 convicted and sentenced 25-year-old internet fraudster, Salawu Victor to community service.
The convict was prosecuted by the Ilorin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC), on one-count charge of impersonation, to which he pleaded guilty.
The charge read: “That you, Salawu Victor,(alias James Chris), sometime in the month of February 2019, in Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, did attempt to cheat by impersonation, having portrayed yourself as a “white male, named James Chris” via your email address [email protected] to one Seth B. in other to induce him to send you money, a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 95 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 324 of the same Law.”
Following his guilty plea, prosecution counsel, Andrew Akoja reviewed the facts of the case and urged the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.
Justice Oyinloye found the defendant guilty as charged and sentenced him to sweeping and clearing Ahmadu Bello Way up to the Commissioner of Police Quarters, Ilorin G.R.A and to additionally pay N50,000 fine.
He also forfeited two iPhones recovered from him to the Federal government with a right to re-purchase them.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
09/07/2020
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Two Oil Thieves Bag Three Years Jail Term
Justice L. N. Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos has convicted and sentenced two oil thieves to three years imprisonment.
The convicts, Paul Ovie and Frank Okuba, were arraigned alongside a vessel, M.V. Agbeke, by the Lagos Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC) on Thursday, July 9, 2020, on three-count charges bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum products.
They were arrested by the Nigerian Navy and subsequently handed over to the Commission for investigation and prosecution.
One of the counts read “That you, Paul Ovie, Frank Okuba and M.V. Agbeke, on the 21st day of January, 2020 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, without appropriate license, dealt in 100 metric tonnes of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4 of the Petroleum Act, Cap 10, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”
They pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against them.
In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, Mohammed Idris, reviewed the facts of the matter and urged the court to convict the defendants accordingly.
Delivering his judgment, Justice Oweibo convicted and sentenced the defendants to one year imprisonment each on the three-count charge.
The sentences are to run concurrently from the day of their arrest and detention by the Nigerian Navy.
Troubles started for the convicts when they were arrested by the NAVY for dealing in petroleum products without a requisite license. They were prosecuted and consequently convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
09/07/2020.
