A Lagos Division of the Federal High Court on Monday sentenced 10 persons accused of fraudulently dealing in 200 metric tons of petroleum product to 12 years in prison.
The convicts are crew members of a vessel, MV Peace.
Mohammed Idris, the judge, ordered that the vessel and the recovered petroleum product be forfeited to the Nigerian government.
Those convicted include: James Abatan, the ship’s captain; Wasiu Owonikoko; Patrick Ameh; Johnson Ademola and Felix Otto.
The rest are Chigozie Oguike, Olu Salisu, Jomo Gadagbe, Kunle Oba Saheed, and Rasheed Adio.
They were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on July 27, 2017, on three counts of conspiracy and unlawful dealing in petroleum products.
During the trial, the EFCC presented three witnesses and tendered eight exhibits before the court.
While pronouncing his judgment on Monday, Mr Idris said the prosecution proved their allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
“The prosecution has been able to lead overwhelming evidence against the defendants,” the judge said.
“The defendants have not been able to adduce evidence capable of puncturing the evidence put forward by the prosecution. I, therefore, find all the defendants guilty as charged.”
Premium Times
