Court remands 3 over illegal oil deal

A Federal High Court in Lagos Thursday remanded three fishermen in prison custody over alleged dealing in 700 litres of petroleum products worth N546, 000 without lawful authority.

The accused, Tijani Gbadamosi, 48, Adelake Akininbosun, 54, Kenneth Okoria, 39; are standing trial on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and unlawful dealing in petroleum products.

The Prosecutor, DSP Mathew Omosun, told the court the accused committed the alleged offences on August 27, at Ijaniki area of Lagos.

He alleged that the accused loaded 700 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) worth N546, 000 into a truck with registration No. YB 200 EKY without appropriate licence.

Omosun alleged that the PMS which the accused unlawfully dealt in, with the intent to distribute and sell to the public; belonged to the Pipeline and Product Marketing Company (PPMC).

The prosecutor said that the alleged offences contravened Sections 1 (7) (a), 3 (6) and 17 (b) of the Miscellaneous Offence Act, Cap 17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation) Act, 2007.

The trio pleaded innocence of the offences.
The prosecutor urged the court to remand the accused to prison custody and for a further date to commence trial.
Counsel to the accused, Mark-Anthony Akariele, however, informed the court that he would formally file a bail application.

Justice Mohammed Yunusa adjourned the case to September 11, for hearing of the bail application.

Benjamin Chuka Osisioma, professor of accounting at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, said Buhari’s ministers must be people who are not easily swayed by wands of naira notes.

“I think it was Ellen White who said that the greatest want of the world is the want of men. I am talking about men who cannot be bought and will stand for the truth no matter whose ox is gored,” Osisioma said.

According to the accounting professor, the country is in search of men that are consistent and cannot be swayed by the allure of naira notes. He added that the new ministers should be men of character, competence, loyalty, integrity and courage.

“We are looking for men for whom money has lost its allure. But I consider integrity a key factor. Buhari should look for the history of people he wants to appoint, in terms of where they are coming from and how they have distinguished themselves in what they have done,” he said.

Osisioma, however, said that these people do not reside in one tribe or come from one part of the country, adding that the president must be wary of those who seem religious outwardly but are wolves in sheep’s clothing.

“Emotional intelligence is also key. What is their capacity to work with people around?” he asked, rhetorically.
Matthew Ibeabuchi, a manager of a chemical producing company, said it is better to select experts to man sectors in which they have been playing over the years.

“For example, instead of appointing a retired civil servant as industry minister, why don’t you appoint a manufacturer? A manufacturer understands the sector and knows the agitations of key players and is in the best position to influence the president to do the right thing that will help the sector,” Ibeabuchi said.

“It does not mean that the retired civil servant cannot be appointed to head the Civil Service of the Federation. But when you appoint a knowledgeable person to head the sector where he/she has been active, the person will likely do better. Babatunde Fafunwa, Onyebuchi Chukwu, Akinwumi Adesina and many others are all cases we can look at,” he added.

He said he expects a balance between politicians and technocrats, but pointed out that Nigerians must know that some politicians are also technocrats.

 

Ifeome Okeke