Tag Archives: OIL BUNKERING

Army Uncovers Massive Illegal Oil Bunkering Site

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Nigerian Army has uncovered a massive illegal oil bunkering site barely two weeks after heightened security operations in the area. And strangely too, the location is about one kilometre from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Thirteen suspects were arrested.

According to the Commander of 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Brig.-Gen. Stevenson Olabanji, who broke the news, thousands of litres of illegally refined diesel were discovered at the site. He said Army operatives were immediately deployed to the site at Makoba Beach, after a tip-off. It was gathered that the site is also about two kilometres away from the Rivers State Government House.

Olabanji said: “About 16:40 hours on Monday, we got an information that some illegal bunkering activities were going on along Makoba Beach. On arrival at the area, our personnel discovered illegal activities including bunkering of illegally refined petroleum products and lifting of diesel to local boats…”

Read More: ngrguardiannews

EFCC Arraigns 10 Persons For Oil Bunkering

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EFCC Press statement below…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned 10 persons and a vessel, MV Peace for their alleged involvement in illegal oil bunkering before Justice Muhammad B. Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos on a three count charge bordering on conspiracy and illegal dealing in petroleum products.

MV Peace and its crew members – James Abatan, Wasiu Abdul Owonikoko, Patrick Ameh, Johnson Ademola, Felix Otto, Chigozie Oguike, Olu Salisu, Jomo Gadagbe, Kunle Oba Saheed and Rasheed Adio were intercepted about five nautical miles off Lagos Fairway Buoy by the Nigerian Navy Ship Ikot-Abasi on the 4th of April 2015 on suspicion of illegal dealing in petroleum products.

Count one and two of the charge reads:
Count 1:
“MV Peace, James Abatan, Wasiu Abdul Owonikoko, Patrick Amen, Johnson Ademola, Felix Otto, Chigozie Oguike, Olu Salisu, Jomo Gadagbe, Kunle Oba Saheed and Rasheed Adio on or about the 4th day of April, 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: dealing in petroleum products without appropriate licence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3 (6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section (1) (17) of the same Act.”

Count 2:
“MV Peace, James Abatan, Wasiu Abdul Owonikoko, Patrick Amen, Johnson Ademola, Felix Otto, Chigozie Oguike, Olu Salisu, Jomo Gadagbe, Kunle Oba Saheed and Rasheed Adio on or about the 4th day of April, 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court without appropriate licence dealt with 200 Metric Tons of Petroleum product and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section (1) (17) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.” The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge when read to them. In view of the plea of the accused, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo prayed the court for a trial date and to remand the accused in prison custody. However, counsel to all accused persons, Dada Awosika said he had filed an application for bail and prayed the court for a short adjournment for hearing. Justice Idris ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Ikoyi prison and adjourned the case to Monday 27 July, 2015 for hearing on the bail application.

Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity 23rd July, 2015