EFCC arraigns 5 for illegal crude oil deal

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, charged five defendants before a Federal High Court in Lagos, over an illegal deal in petroleum products.

The defendants are: Mt Vinnalaris (a vessel), Azeez Abubakar, Wisdom Borborley, Samuel Akpan and Freedom Otuagoma.

They appeared before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on two counts bordering on unlawful deal in petroleum products.

After the charge was read to them, they pleaded guilty.

Following their plea, the prosecutor, Mr R.A. Abdurasheed, informed the court that the prosecution had filed the plea bargain agreement with the defendants, before the court.

Consequently, the court adjourned the case until April 25, for adoption of plea bargain agreement.

The court, however, ordered that the defendants remain in custody of the prosecution till then.

In the charge, the defendants were said to have committed the offence sometime in 2023, while on the Nigerian maritime domain.

They were alleged to have dealt in 515.8 litres of crude oil without lawful authority.

The offence contravenes the provisions of Section 1(17) and 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 Law of the Federation 2004.