Justice A.T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has convicted and sentenced three oil thieves: Amadi Efula, Emem Udofot and Mary Isiah to various terms for illegally dealing in petroleum products without requisite license.
The offence runs contrary to Section 1 (19) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Revised Edition) 2004 and punishable under Section 1(7) (b) of the same Act..
They were jailed on Friday, November 4, 2022 after pleading "guilty" to a separate one count charge preferred against them upon being arraigned by the Port Harcourt's Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The Charge against Isiah reads:
"That you, Mary Isiah on or about the 2nd day of March, 2022 around Abonema Wharf in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court attempted to tamper or interfere with the free flow of Crude oil through pipelines around Port Harcourt Local Government and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (19) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Revised Edition) 2004 and punishable under Section 1(7) (b) of the same Act”.
Efula's charge reads:
“That you, Amadi Efula on or about the 13th day of August, 2022 around Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court attempted to tamper or interfere with the free flow of Crude oil through pipelines around Port Harcourt Local Government and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (19) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Revised Edition) 2004 and punishable under Section 1(7) (b) of the same Act”.
They all pleaded guilty to their respective charges when they were read to them.
In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel K. W. Chukwuma-Eneh prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants as charged.
Counsel to the defendants: E. H. Eboh and M. O. Igbe prayed to the court to temper justice with mercy.
Justice Mohamed convicted and sentenced the defendants to two weeks community service each at the premises of the EFCC, Port Harcourt Zonal Command.
The Court also ordered that the convicts must depose an affidavit of good behavior before the court.
The convicts were arrested by both officers of 6 Division, Nigeria Army and operatives of the Commission, sometimes in September, 2022 at Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State for tampering with the free flow of Crude oil from government pipeline.
It was revealed that the convicts had no licence to deal in petroleum products or any authority to interfere with the flow of Crude oil via oil pipeline.
Media & Publicity
4 November, 2022