June 11, 2015 – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned 14 foreigners for alleged involvement in illegal oil bunkering before Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos.
They were arraigned on a 4-count charge bordering on conspiracy and illegal dealing in petroleum products.
The suspects arethree Russians ( Pakhladzhian Artur, Kretov Andrey, Shkundich Vasily); three Ukrainians ( Laguta Oleksiy, Chepikov Oleksandr, Bilous Vitalli); Eight Filipinos ( Cadavis Gerardo, Baduria Benjamin, Regidor Hilarion, Naranjo Allan Antero,Patero Christian, Alkyde Joel, Caratiquit Micheal Bryan, Ciudad Prudencio, Cabanal Anecito, Cabuquin Andres, Podutan Eduardo) and one Georgian – Agbarian Sergoand.
The others are MT Anuket Emerald, Monjasa DMCC, and Glencore Energy UK Limited.
According to a statement by the EFCC, the Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft intercepted MT Anuket during a routine patrol within Nigerian waters on March 8, 2015 on suspicion of illegal oil dealing before handing over the vessel and it crew to the EFCC.
it added that investigation by the EFCC revealed that the registered owner of the vessel is Combe Shipping Limited and that the beneficial owner is Alliance Tankers Incorporated.
It noted that the ship flies Panama Flag with IMO number 9393644. “Furthermore, it was discovered that Monjasa DMCC of Dubai UAE are the chatterers of the vessel”, the statement added.
Meanwhile Justice Buba has granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000,000 each and one surety in like sum who must be a Nigeria. The judge said that a single surety who is worth the entire bail bond can stand surety for all the accused persons.
However, the suggestion by the defence counsel to release the accused persons to their respective embassies was refused by the court.
The defence counsel told the court that since the accused persons were not Nigerians, it would be difficult to find a surety but urged the court to accept bank guarantee of the total sum. He further requested the court to remand the accused persons in EFCC custody pending the perfection of their bail condition.
Justice Buba granted the prayer of the defence counsel to accept a bank guarantee of N750, 000,000 (Seven Hundred and Fifty million Naira Only) as bail bond for the accused persons but ordered the accused persons to be remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of their bail terms.
The case was adjourned to June 17, 18 and 19, 2015 for commencement of trial.
