Jerry Uwah
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned eight persons before Justice Saliu Saidu of a Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged illegal importation of petroleum products.
The accused persons are Ademola Ogungbayi, Olabode Olaniran, Suraju Gasali, Moses Emmanuel, Wilson Bonsi, Jacob Padoun, Uche Oparaodi and Happy Onyeogo.
The accused persons were charged along with their vessel MT Good Success and company, Hepa Global Energy Ltd. They all pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge.
The EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that the offense was committed on February 19.
He said that the accused were apprehended by naval officers within the Nigerian territorial waters for having imported and stored 1.46 metric tons of premium motor spirit (petrol).
The accused were said to have imported the product into the country without the requisite license as required by the Petroleum Act.
The prosecutor said the offense contravened Section 4 of the Petroleum Act, Cap 10 of the Laws of the Federation 2004.
The defence counsel filed a bail application and Justice Saidu granted the accused persons bail on the sum of N5 million each, with two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties must be a civil servant on grade level 15.
The case was adjourned to September 23, for trial.