The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday May 9, 2013 arraigned 14 suspected oil thieves before Justice E. S. Chuwkwu of the Federal High Court Abuja on a four count charge bordering on conspiracy and illegal oil bunkering.

The suspects - Joseph Amaechi, Israel Friday, Ubadia Francis, Abayomi Adebisi, Abdullahi Idris, Samuel Job, Onah Peter Ode, Sabo Tasha Hassan, Abdullahi Moh'd, Abubakar Abdulkadir, Ehiogu Paul, Ibrahim Saidu, Garba Mohammed and Bartholomew Onyema- pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

Soon after the suspects took their plea, counsel to EFCC, Elizabeth Ayodele asked the court to fix a date for trial and remand the accused persons in prison custody. However, counsel to the 1st,3rd,4th,5th,8th,9th,12th,13th, and 14th accused, Rotimi Ojo prayed the court to admit the accused persons to bail as the offence is bailable. The same argument was canvassed by, S. N. Okonta, counsel to the 2nd, 6th, 7th, 10th and 11th accused persons.

However, Ayodele urged the court to dismiss their application as their offence was an economic sabotage, which is a criminal offence against the state.

Justice Chukwu adjourned the case to May 14 and 27 for ruling on the bail applications and trial; while the accused persons are remanded in prison custody.

Media & Publicity Unit
9th May, 2013