Ngozi Okoye, other oil marketers arraigned for theft of N1 billion

IKEJA, Lagos, Nigeria – Five oil marketers were on Tuesday arraigned before a Lagos High Court, sitting in Ikeja, for alleged stealing of petroleum products valued at N1 billion, property of the United Bank for Africa (UBA).

The five defendant identified as; Thompson Omoietan, Adeleke Lasun, Funmilola Oyerinde Adegoke Shadrack and James Amore, were arriagned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. They were docked on a three count charge of conspiracy, stealing and forgery.

The prosecuting Counsel, Kayode Oni told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offences in September 2011 alongside 13 others who are currently at large. Oni said that the 13 others now at large include- Ngozi Okoye, Menol Oil and Gas Ltd, Faicek Petroluem Ltd, Cynthia Gboneme, Onyebuchi Patience, Godwin Onyeke and Moses Ojera.

“Umanah Bassey, Onwuka Ibisi, Hyginus Nwosu, Solomon Okpithe, Gbolade Otukoya, and Godwin Omoke,” he said. According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened Sections 278, 285, 359, 363 and 409 of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos 2011. The EFCC further alleged that the defendants allegedly conspired and stole petroleum products worth N1billion property of UBA.

The commission alleged that the defendants and their accomplices also purportedly forged documents titled Supervisory Discharge Certificate addressed to the Managing Director of Menol Oil and Gas Ltd. However, the counsels to the defendants, Messers Yinka Farounbi, A.O Akinyemi informed the court of their respective bail applications.

They prayed the court to grant their clients bail on the most liberal terms. The presiding Judge, Justice Josephine Oyefeso thereafter adjourned the matter till June 11 for ruling on the bail application .

The judge further ordered that the defendants should be remanded in EFCC custody pending the determination of their bail application.