Justice P.I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced four illegal bunkerers; Harry Derera, Lucky Abonne, Onobeya Stephen, Okokeme Ebi to two years imprisonment each for illegally dealing in petroleum products. A fine of Five Million Naira (N5, 000,000.00) was also slammed on MT PREYOR 1, a Vessel used in committing the offence.

The convicts were arraigned on July 20, 2022 by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on one-count separate charges bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum products, contrary to Section 1(17) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M.17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, (Revised Edition) 2004 and punishable under section 1 (17) (b) of the same Act.

The charge reads: “That you, Harry Derera on or about the 5th day of January, 2022 around Offshore Bonny Fairway Buoy, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority dealt in Crude Oil to wit: about 2,458,350 litres conveyed in MT PREYOR 1 and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(17) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M.17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, (Revised Edition) 2004 and punishable under section 1 (17) (b) of the same Act”.

They all pleaded “guilty” when the charges were read to them.

In view of their pleas, prosecuting counsel, N.T Iko prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

Justice Ajoku convicted and sentenced the quartet to two years imprisonment with an option of fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira(N200,000.00) each, while he convicted MT PREYOR and sentenced her to a fine of Five Million Naira (N5,000,000.00) only, payable into the Consolidated Revenue Fund account of the Federation.

The Judge also ordered that the 2,458,350 litres of product on board the Vessel should be auctioned by the Secretary of the EFCC and the money recovered be paid into the EFCC Recovery Account domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Trouble began for the convicts when officers of the Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Kiama Road, Bonny, intercepted the crew and Vessel at Offshore Bonny Fairway Buoy loaded with about 2,458,350 litres of illegally refined petroleum products.

Media & Publicity

21 July, 2022