The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Office, Monday, secured the conviction of 15 oil thieves and two vessels before Justice Rilwan Aikawa of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.
Acting EFCC Head, Media and Publicity, Mr. Tony Orilade, in a press statement in Abuja, said Justice Aikawa found them guilty on all three counts, and sentenced them to one year in prison on each count, which will take effect from the day of their arrest.
He said furthermore, Justice Aikawa ordered the forfeiture of the vessels to the federal government and imposed a fine of N600,000 on each convict aboard MT Zeebrugge and the sum of N900,000 on each convict aboard MV Ekpere Amaka.
He listed the convicts as: MT Zeebrugge (vessel); Kapilarathana A.J; Yapa; Ramanayaka Appuhamilage Maithripala; Labunu Hewage Udayanga Silva; Shashika Yomal Palipana; Amarasinge Arachchige Dasman Chaml; Kariyawasan Wijewardbana; and Joseph Felsianus Fernando.
Others are: MV Ekpere Amaka (vessel); Eliaja Agoso; Assayomo Julius; Godwin Ajimosun; Jerome Nwaobi; Ukpe Wisdom; Bayonle-Jude Olawunmi; Vincent Antai; and John Zola.
Orildae said they were first arraigned on three counts of illegal oil dealing in petroleum product on March 4, 2020, and they pleaded “not guilty” to the charge.
However, at Monday’s sitting, the Defence Counsel, Paul Ejiga, intimated the court that they had the intention of changing their plea and when the charge was read to them they all pleaded guilty.
He said the Counsel for the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, called two witnesses to give evidence and placed some documents before the court.
In a separate development, the Imo Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested eight suspected internet fraudsters at different locations within Owerri, Imo state.
Orilade, in a press statement, Monday in Abuja, said the suspects were rounded up by the operatives of the Advance Fee Fraud Section, AFF of the zone following an intelligence report on the illegal activities of suspected cybercriminals in and around Owerri city.
He said several smart phones of different models, laptops and two vehicles were recovered from the suspects during the operation.
The spokesperson said they would soon be arraigned in court.
