Diesel theft: Court arraigns Gambian, Senegalese, others

For allegedly dealing in 300 metric tonnes of diesel without lawful authority, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday arraigned a Gambian, Baboucar Jallow, a Senegale, Ndiaga Ba, alongside a Nigerian, Abel Bassey.

The trio were arraigned alongside their vessel, MT Wolof, before Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.

A firm, Japcco Nigeria Ltd., said to be at large was also mentioned in the charge.
The two counts preffered against the defendants border on conspiracy and unlawful deal in petroleum products.

The EFCC, in the charge, said the defendants committed the offence sometime in June.
Counsel for the EFCC, Ekene Iheanacho, told the court that the defendants acted contrary to Section 3(6) of the
Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and are liable to punishment under Section 1(17) of the same Act.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them.
After rejecting the bail application filed by their lawyer, Adegboyega Adetunji, Justice Idris ordered that the defendants be remanded in the prison custody pending the conclusion of trial.

He said: “I have read all the processes filed in this case and the submission of counsel on both sides. I cannot find my way clear in granting this application for bail.

“There is no evidence that the defendants are resident within the jurisdiction of this court, therefore, bail is refused; accelerated hearing of this case is hereby ordered.”

Meanwhile the judge has adjourned the matter till December 13 for commencement of trial.

Peter Fowoyo