A Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria today ordered twenty accused persons alongside one ship MV Long Island and two companies AFA Global Impex services Limited and GFL Marine services limited who were arraigned before the court for unlawful dealing in about 200 metrics tonnes of petroleum products to be the remanded in prison custody.
The presiding judge, Ibrahim Buba after admitting each of the accused persons on bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety ordered that they should be remanded in prison custody until their bail condition is fulfilled.
The accused, MV Long Island, AFA Global Impex Service Limited, GFL Marine Services Limited, Ala Atubokiki Ibinabo, Wole Ajayi, Adesunloye Alexander Fani-Kayode, Captain Daniel Lebile, Michael Mgbanwa, Segun Ekundemi and Johnson Mashebinu, Ndidi Benjamin, Bright Nwaezuoke, Blessing Omoviye, Kayode Biboye Ireti,Others includes; Chuck Isiwepkweni, Friday Nchikpa, Peter Bayo, Ubom Amos, Zuopamo Embiowei, Olabamerun Owolemi, Adams Husseini, Ebisingha Timmy, Godwin Oputeh, Ebimie Norwigeh and Olabamerin Damilola Smart, who are still at large.
They were alleged to have on or about December 2, 2014, within the jurisdiction of the court conspired among themselves without lawful authority or appropriate licence to deal in 200 metric tonnes of petroleum product.
The offences according to the EFCC prosecutor, Mr.Jacob Oyedepo, are contrary to sections 19(6), 17 miscellaneous offences Act Cap. 17, Laws of he federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Section 4 of the Petroleum Act. Cap. P10, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges while the matter was adjourned till Wednesday, for ruling on their bail application.
Justice Buba while ruling on the accused bail applications of the accused persons, today said bail is a constitutional right of any accused persons according to Section 36 of 1999 Nigerian constitution, but the court should ensure that the accused are not released to ghost sureties.
Consequently, Justice Buba admitted each of the accused on bail in the sum of N5 million, with one surety each. He ordered that the surety must sign and file an affidavit of ownership of landed property in Lagos state, while each of the accused persons should also file an affidavit of not delaying the trial.
He ordered that all the accused be remanded in prisons’ custody pending the time they are able to perfect the bail conditions.
Thereafter the matter was adjourned till March 23, 24,25 and April 2 for accelerated trial.