Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday convicted and sentenced one Rabiu Aliyu, to two years imprisonment for illegal dealing in 33,000litres of Automotive Gasoline Oil, also known as diesel, without an appropriate licence.
The convict was jailed after pleading guilty to a one-count charge, bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum products without authority and an appropriate licence, upon arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The charge reads: “That you Rabiu Aliyu, on the 16th day of May, 2017 within the jurisdiction of this Court did without appropriate licence deal in about 33,000 litres of AGO and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (17) (a) of Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 of the Revised Edition, (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under Section 1 (17) (b) of the same Act.”
In view of the plea of the defendant, Prosecution Counsel, Endeba Abiyesuku, prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.
Counsel to the Defendant, M. M. Suleiman, did not oppose the prayers of the prosecution but prayed the court to temper justice with mercy.
The Judge, Justice A. T. Mohammed , convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment with an option of fine of N250,000.
Justice Mohammed, ordered the 33,000 litres of AGO, arrested with the convict, to be forfeited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the tanker with registration number XA 538 BGW released to its owner.
According to EFCC, Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, Aliyu’s journey to the Correctional Facility started after he was arrested in 2017 by the anti-illegal oil bunkering patrol team of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, at Akala-Olu Community, in Rivers State for illegal dealing in petroleum products.
The convict was also arrested alongside a DAF truck with registration XA 538 BGW loaded with products suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil. He was thereafter handed over to EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.
