The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic Financial Crimes Commissions (EFCC), on Monday, said it commenced the probe of 11 suspected oil thieves and one vessel, MT SAISNIL II, handed over to the commission by the Nigerian Navy, NNS Beecroft, Apapa, Lagos.
The anti-graft body revealed that the vessel and the crew were stopped and apprehended on February 7, 2024, by officers of the Nigerian Navy for allegedly carrying out illegal oil bunkering and Automatic Identification System infractions at Abo Oilfield, Ogogoro Community, Ondo State.
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The suspected oil thieves include Jimoh Olusola, Akinrodoye Tobias, Idolor Ogun, Blessed Udoh Michael, Fineface Zorte, Victor Ime Edem, Shofela Bode, Adejokun Taiye Emmanuel, Golden A. Javan, Yekini Lukman, and Ajayi Oluwole.
The EFCC further disclosed that “the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded”
Also, one Adeagbo Dooshima Claire has been arraigned before Justice G.M.Kamyal of the Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos, Plateau State by the EFCC.
Claire, according to the EFCC, was arraigned last Wednesday on two charges bordering on cheating and obtaining by false pretence by the Gombe Zonal Command of the Commission.
One of the charges reads “that you, Adeagbo Dooshima Claire and Caroline Lawal (Still at large) sometime in May 2021 at Jos, Plateau State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, fraudulently obtained the aggregate sum of N12,250,000 from one Kenechukwu Agubuisi which you claimed was payment for a landed property situated at Favfei, Rayfield Jos, Plateau State and covered by Right of Occupancy No. PL.30415 and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 307 of the Penal Code Law
Upon arraignment, Claire pleaded not guilty to the charges. This led the prosecution counsel, Okemini S.E, to ask the court for a trial date.
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Counsel to the defendant, Rimmam P.J told the court of a bail application filed on April 17, 2024, and prayed the court to grant the defendant bail.
The case has now been adjourned to June 3 and 4, 2024. Justice Kamyal also ordered that the defendant be remanded in Jos Correctional Centre.
