By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Thursday ordered the remand of 10 oil thieves in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service till September 27, 2023 when their matter would come up for hearing again.
Justice Akintoye Aluko made the remand order following the arraignment of the 10 suspected pipeline vandals by the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps through their counsel Barrister Okandeji Erute.
The 10 oil thieves, who were alleged to have vandalized NNPC’s pipelines on the high sea are Adewale Abisoye, Oliver Sena, Wisdom Michael, Jonah Alari, Dafe Empire, Raphael Kumake, Asukwo Okonabia, Oyekan Fatia, Peter John and Isiaka Dosa
According to the charge preferred against them, the defendants were alleged to have on or about the 20th day of August 2023 at about 004 hrs, at the NNPCL /SPM on the High Sea within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, did conspire, to commit a felony to wit: willfully tamper with, without lawful authority, pipeline for the transportation of petroleum products, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences AP M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section 1(7)(b) of Miscellaneous Offences Act, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.
At the commencement of their trial before Justice Akintayo Aluko on Thursday (today), NCDC, counsel, Barrister Okandeji told the court that the prosecution has a two-count charge before the court and urged the court to allow the charge to be read to the defendants so that they can take thier plea.
Consequently, the two counts charge was read and all the defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following the not guilty plea of the defendants, Okandeji asked the court for a trial date and the remand of the defendants in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service.
However, Counsel to the defendants Mr A. A. Omiunu in his submission informed the court that he intends to file a bail summon and pleaded with the court for a short adjournment.
After hearing parties, Justice Aluko ordered the remand of all the defendants in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Services and adjourned further trial till September 27, 2023.
