Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, on Monday convicted and sentenced Lawan Abdulahi and Collins Osayande, to two years imprisonment each for dealing in 35,000 litres of adulterated Automotive Gasoline Oil, AGO.
They were convicted after pleading guilty to one count separate charge bordering on illegal dealings in petroleum products, upon their arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC.
Abdulahi and Osayande’s were arrested by the anti-bunkering team of the Six Division, Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt, with two trucks loaded with products suspected to be illegally- refined AGO and handed over to the EFCC for investigation and prosecution.
The charge read: “That you Lawan Abdulahi on or about the 23rd day of June, 2021 at Emohua, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, dealt in petroleum products, to wit: about 15,000 litres of AGO conveyed in a truck with registration No: LND 410 XP which is not of good quality and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1 (18) (a) (ii) of the of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria), 2007 and punishable under Section 1 (17) of the same Act.
“That you Collins Osayande on or about the 13th day of June, 2021 at Abonnema Wharf Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, dealt in petroleum products, to wit: about 20,000 litres of AGO conveyed in a truck with registration No: MBL 411 XA which is not of good quality and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1 (18) (a) (ii) of the of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria), 2007 and punishable under Section 1 (17) of the same Act”
In view of their “guilty” pleas, prosecuting counsel, I. Agwu urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.
Defence counsel, E.E. Wvwiekpaefe and O.N.Okek, did not oppose the prayer of the prosecution, but urged the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants are first- time offenders and had learnt their lessons
The judge, Justice S. Pam, convicted and sentenced Lawan Abdulahi to two years imprisonment, with an option of fine of N150, 000 and Collins Osayande to two years imprisonment with an option of fine of N200,000 payable into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federation.
Justice Pam also ordered that the petroleum products found in the trucks with registration numbers: LND 410 XP and MBL 411 XA estimated to be about 35,000 litres of AGO be sold by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court in conjunction with the Secretary of the EFCC or any authorized officer and the proceeds paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund account of the Federation.
