The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Uyo Zonal Command said it has commenced investigation of ten suspected illegal dealers in petroleum products, arrested onboard a ship loaded with 100 metric tonnes of petroleum product without an appropriate license.
The suspects were arrested on board MT Queen Hansal Ship and handed over to the Command by the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Ibaka, Akwa Ibom State, along with 100 metric tons of petroleum products.
Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale in a statement explained that Captain Uche Aneke, while handing over the suspects and exhibits to the EFCC, assured that the Navy will continue to perform its duty to ensure that Akwa Ibom State and its environment remained unfavorable for oil thieves.
“The vessel MT Queen Hansal was involved in suspicious activities along Exxol Mobil oil field at position Lat 04’12’ 956 N, Long 007’40’ 186 ‘E’ by switching off its Automatic Identification System such that the Nigerian Navy in its task arrested the ship.
“So the vessel and the 10 crew members were arrested by NNS OJI on December 28, 2023 during inspection and brought to base on December 30, 2023,” he said.
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The statement further noted that Deputy Superintendent of the EFCC, DSE Ayuba Zira thanked the Navy and assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted and culpable suspects prosecuted accordingly.
It adds that the Command will continue to collaborate with the Navy to sanitize the oil industry and waterways.
Meanwhile, the EFCC has also arraigned one Ukwueze Chidera Matthew before a Federal High Court in Enugu for N11.4m fraud.
Matthew was arraigned on a two count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing from a Keystone account belonging to Ajogwu Blessing Ukamaka.
This act was said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 20 (b) of Money Laundering, Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
However, the suspects pleaded not guilty to the offense and in view of his plea, counsel to the EFCC, B. Ajogwu prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at Enugu State Correctional facility.
Defense counsel, G. O. Ugwuoke however informed the court about a pending bail application before it.
Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo adjourned the matter till March 12, 2024 for hearing of bail application and June 26 and 27, 2024 for trial, ordering that the defendant be remanded at Enugu correctional facility.
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