The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday
arraigned five oil marketers for allegedly stealing petroleum
products worth N1bn belonging to the United Bank for Africa.
Thompson Omoietan, Adeleke Lasun, Funmilola Oyerinde, Adegoke
Shadrack and James Amore were arraigned on three counts of
conspiracy, stealing and forgery.
However, they pleaded not guilty to the charges before a Lagos
State High Court in Ikeja.
According to counsel for the EFCC, Kayode Oni, the defendants
committed the offences in September 2011 alongside 13 others
currently at large.
Some of the suspects at large are Ngozi Okoye, Cynthia Gboneme,
Onyebuchi Patience, Godwin Onyeke and Moses Ojera.
Others are Umanah Bassey, Onwuka Ibisi, Hyginus Nwosu, Solomon
Okpithe, Gbolade Otukoya and Godwin Omoke.
According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene sections
278, 285, 359, 363 and 409 of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos
2011.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants and their
accomplices forged documents titled, “Supervisory Discharge
Certificate” addressed to the Managing Director of Menol Oil and
Gas Limited.
Following the plea of the defendants, their lawyers, Yinka
Farounbi and A.O Akinyemi urged the court to grant their clients
bail on the most liberal terms.
Justice Josephine Oyefeso, however, adjourned the matter till
June 11 for ruling on the bail application and ordered that the
defendants be remanded in EFCC custody pending the determination of
their bail application.
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