3 Men Docked For Unlawful Dealing In Petroleum Product

3 Men Docked For Unlawful Dealing In Petroleum Product

The trio of Okorie Collins Chukwuma; Julius Makingbene and Ededeni Bassey Edkon have been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), before a Lagos Federal High Court, for alleged unlawful dealing in Automated Gas Oil (AGO) petroleum product.

The three men were arraigned before Justice Chuka Obiozor, on a three-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful dealing in 100 metric tonnes of the petroleum product, which is also known as diesel.

Arraigning the defendants on Thursday, before the court, the EFCC counsel, Muhammad A. Idris, told the court that the defendants were arrested on February 3, 2020, with the said petroleum product, without any authorization.

Muhammad told the court that the  offences committed by the three defendants, contravened sections 3(6) and 1(17) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section 1(17) of the same Act. 

He also told the court that the offence is contrary to Section 4 of the Petroleum Act. Cap P10, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.  

Responding to the allegations, the three defendants admitted committing the offence and pleaded guilty to the charges.

Following the defendants plea, they informed the court through their counsel of their intentions to have a plea bargain arrangement on the allegations with the prosecuting agency. Their positions was confirmed by the prosecutor.

Consequently, Justice Obiozor, while adjourning the matter till next Wednesday, July 8, 2020, for hearing of the plea bargain agreement. The judge however, ordered that the defendants be remanded in the EFCC’s detention facility.

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