Two Foreigners, A Nigerian Arrested Over Alleged Unlawful Dealing In Petroleum Products Arraign By EFCC

Two foreign nationals and a Nigerian are arrested for allegedly dealing in 300 metric tonnes of diesel without lawful authorization has been arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The defendants, namely Baboucar Jallow, a Gambian, Ndiaga Ba, a Senegalese alongside a Nigerian, Abel Bassey who were arraigned alongside their vessel, MT Wolof, and a company Japcco Nigeria Ltd, which is still at large  before Justice Mohammed Idris, however pleaded not guilty to the two count charge.

The defendants are facing a two count charge bordering on conspiracy and unlawful dealings in Petroleum products preffered against them by EFCC who said they committed the offence sometime in June.

The EFCC Counsel, Ekene Iheanacho, told Justice Idris on Monday that the defendants acted contrary to Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and are liable to punishment under Section 1(17) of the same Act.

Justice Idris denied the defendants bail, and ordered that the defendants should be remanded in prison custody pending the conclusion of trial.

The counsel to the defendants Adegboyega Adetunji, had file a bail application before the court but the Judge rejected the bail application .

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The judge said, “I have read all the processes filed in this case and the submission of counsel on both sides. I cannot find my way clear in granting this application for bail.

“There is no evidence that the defendants are resident within the jurisdiction of this court, therefore, bail is refused; accelerated hearing of this case is hereby ordered.”

According to Vanguard report, the case was later adjourned till December 13, 2017 for commencement of trial.