Oil Bunkering: EFCC Arraigns Police Inspector, 2 Others

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday arraigned an Inspector of Police, Lukeman Rabiu, before a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos for allegedly tampering with oil pipeline.

Inspector Rabiu, was docked alongside Bashorun Sunny Eke, Waliu Tella, and Bashorun Eke’s hotel, Glonik Hotel Limited.
The anti graft agency in an amended charge marked FHC /L/403c/17, alleged that the three accused persons had on October 4, 2017, at 31, Social Club Road, Oko Oba, Lagos, conspired among themselves to commit felony to wit: malicious tampering with pipeline.

The hotelier, Bashorun Sunny Eke, was alleged to have used his hotel, Glonik Hotel Limited, situated at 31, Social Club road, Oko-Oba, Lagos, for tampering with oil pipeline.
The offences according to the EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Murtala Usman, are contrary to sections 3 (6), 1 (7)(a) and (b) and punishable under sections 1(7)(a) and (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act. Cap. M17, laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The offence is also contrary to and punishable under section 3 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related offences Act, 2006.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Their lawyers: Jude Ehide, Ayodele Olaniyi, and Frank Eke, urged the court to admit their clients bail in the most liberal terms.

The prosecutor, Mr. Usman, told the court that his commission did not file any counter to the first accused person’s bail application,he however said that he has replied to the applications of second and third accused persons.
However, Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, admitted the first accused, Bashorun Eke bail in the sum of N2 million, with two sureties in the sum of N1 million each. While admitted bail to the second and third accused in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in the sum of N1 million each.

The judge also ordered that the accused persons deposit their international passport with the Court’s Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR), and that each of the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means, and have their Bank’s details, phone numbers, home and office addresses verified by the prosecutor.

Justice Oguntoyinbo Also ordered that the sureties must show to court evidence of three years tax payment.
The accused persons were ordered to be remanded in prisons custody pending the perfection of bail terms.
The matter has been adjourned till January 10 for trial.

Peter Fowoyo