Convicted oil marketer begs court to restrain order over refund of N0.97bn stolen subsidy money

The CEO of Brila Energy, Rowaye Jubril, who is currently serving jail term over stolen subsidy money, has re-approached an Ikeja High Court asking for a stay of execution over an order of the court asking his company to refund N963.7 million stolen subsidy money back to the federal government.

Justice Lateefa Okunnu had ordered Jubril, currently serving a 10 year jail term and his company, to refund the money which it fraudulently obtained as subsidy.

They were both found guilty on all the 13 counts bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery and use of false documents and sentenced to 10 years on the first count while receiving eight years for counts two to 13.

The convicts, through their counsel, Lawal Pedro SAN, had filed an application before the court asking for a stay of proceedings regarding the monetary part of the judgment.

Pedro in a 20 paragraph affidavit in support of his prayer asked the court to restrain the respondents, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from enforcing the monetary aspect of the judgment.

“I appeal to the court to stay execution pending the outcome of an appeal.

“If the monetary judgment is enforced, that would be the end of the 2nd defendant applicant (Brila Energy), as it would not be able to enforce its constitutional right of appeal anymore,” Pedro said.

EFCC counsel, S. A. Atteh, however opposed the application.

Justice Okunnu thereafter adjourned the matter till October 4 for ruling.