The Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one Ifeanyichukwu Williams on a 2-count charge of conspiracy and illegal dealing in petroleum product before Justice O. O. Oguntoyinbo at the Federal High Court, Owerri, Imo State.

The accused person was arrested at Chives petrol station along Owerri-Onitsha road with Volvo Truck with registration No. XN 939 FST Lagos carrying forty-two (42) drums of liquid suspected to be adulterated petroleum products.

Count one of the charge reads; "That you Ifeanyichukwu Williams 'M' and Eze Obasi 'M'(now at large) on or about 8th day of April 2012 along Owerri-Onitsha road Imo State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court did attempt to commit an offence to wit; dealing in petroleum product without an appropriate licence and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(19)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offence Act, Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under section 1(17)(a)(b) of the same Act."

The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

Upon the plea of the accused person, his counsel, I. J. Ezewa, made an oral application for bail. The court granted the accused person bail in the sum of N500, 000.00 with 2 sureties in like sum. The sureties must be businessmen who reside within the jurisdiction of the court. They must also have landed properties within the jurisdiction of the court and must deposit their Certificate of Occupancy to the registry of the court for verification. The lawyer is also to write an undertaking that the sureties are reliable.

The case was adjourned to October 24, 2013 for the commencement of trial.

Media & Publicity Unit