Justice P.I. Ajoku of Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, convicted and sentenced an oil thief, Alu Isaac to two years imprisonment for unlawfully dealing in petroleum product without requisite license.

He was prosecuted on a one-count charge bordering on conspiracy and illegal dealing in petroleum products by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The count reads: “That you, Isaac Alu, being the driver on board Ivo Truck with registration number: ABC 190 XJ on or about January 22, 2022, at Port Harcourt expressway, Rivers State, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority dealt in petroleum product to wit: Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 1 (17) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17 of the Reverse Edition (Laws of the Federal Government of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under Section 1 (17) of the same Act.”

He pleaded ‘‘guilty’’ to the charge when it was read to him.

In view of his plea, prosecution counsel M .T. Iko reviewed the facts of the case through the prosecution witness, PW1, Assistant Superintendent of EFCC, ASE Mahmud Kharisu, who told the court that the defendant was arrested by personnel of 6 Division, Nigeria Army for illegal dealing in petroleum product without any license.

“He was apprehended sometime in January 2022, while on board a truck with registration number ABC 190 XJ, loaded with petroleum product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) at Ogbaku Village in Abia State”, he said.

In view of the exhibit tendered and the testimonies of the witness, prosecution prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant as charged.

Counsel to the defendant, Emmanuella Joe asked the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing the defendant, stating that he is a first time offender and he does not have previous criminal records.

Justice Ajoku, convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment with option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200, 000.00) as fine.

The Court also ordered that the adulterated product in the Truck with registration Number ABC 190 XJ be forfeited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Media & Publicity

30/03/2023