By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
Justice Ayokunle Faji of Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Friday dismissed a No-Case-Submission, filed by eight suspected oil thieves and asked them to open their defence
The suspects are standing trial over alleged conspiracy, unlawful dealing and illegal export of 245.5 metric tonnes of petroleum products.
The suspected oil thieves whose No-Case-Submission was dismissed are: Adeniji Nathaniel; Jagun Michael; Omiyenye Roman; Stephen Imasua; Adeosun Emmanuel Dimeji; Francis Williams; Saturday Atube; Uduak Monday Umoh and Egbayelo Tunde.
Also affected by the court orders were a vessel and a limited liability company, MV African Support 3 and Sky Marine Fenders Limited.
The alleged oil thieves, the vessel and the company are standing trial before the court presided over by Justice Ayokunle Faji, on three counts charge made against them by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They trial commenced sometimes in 2020.
During their trial, the prosecutor, Mr. Sulaiman I. Sulaiman, called four witnesses and tendered several documentary exhibits which were admitted by the court.
The exhibits tendered include: Letter from the Nigerian Navy titled ‘notification of arrest’, Letter from the Nigerian Navy handing over MV African Support 3, Letter from DPR titled ‘investigation activities and handover of MV Africa Support 3’, Letter from NIMASA titled ‘investigation activities and hand over of vessel MV Africa Support 3′, and Extrajudicial statement of all the defendants, which were marked as exhibits A to M2.
Following the conclusion of the prosecution’s case, the defendant opted to file a ‘No-Case-Submission’ instead of opening their defence on the charges preferred against them.
Consequently, the presiding Judge, ordered parties to file their addresses on the No-Case-Submission.
Ruling on the addresses on Friday (today) after perusing all the arguments canvassed by both parties, and plethoras of authorities cited, Justice Faji held that: “I found out that there are grounds for proceedings in the counts charge against all the defendants.
“The defendants are hereby called upon to open their defence on the charges against them.”
Further hearing of the charge has been adjourned till November 22 and 23.
The EFCC has in a charge numbered FHC/L/136c/2020, alleged that all the defendants on February 13, 2020, conspired among themselves and unlawfully dealt in 245.40 metric tonnes of petroleum product without appropriate authority.
The Prosecution also accused the defendants of attempt to export 245.40 metric tonnes without appropriate license.
The EFCC stated that the offences committed by the defendants contravened Sections 3(6), 1(17) and 1 (19) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section 1(17) of the same Act.