An oil thief, Alu Isaac, has been jailed for two years for unlawfully dealing in petroleum product without requisite licence.
Justice P.I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State passed the sentence on Wednesday, March 29.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said its Port Harcourt Zonal Command prosecuted Isaac on a one-count charge bordering on conspiracy and illegal dealing in petroleum products.
He pleaded ‘‘guilty’’ to the charge when it was read to him.
Read Also: CCB invites Keyamo over Atiku petition
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel M.T. Iko reviewed the facts of the case through the prosecution witness, PW1, Assistant Superintendent of EFCC, ASE Mahmud Kharisu, who told the court that the defendant was arrested by personnel of 6 Division, Nigeria Army for illegal dealing in petroleum product without any licence.
“He was apprehended sometime in January 2022, while on board a truck with registration number ABC 190 XJ, loaded with petroleum product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) at Ogbaku Village in Abia State,” he said.
In view of the exhibit tendered and the testimonies of the witness, prosecution prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant as charged.
Counsel to the defendant, Emmanuella Joe asked the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing the defendant, stating that he is a first time offender and he does not have previous criminal records.
Justice Ajoku convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment with option of N200, 000.00 as fine.
The court also ordered that the adulterated product in the truck with registration Number ABC 190 XJ be forfeited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Leave a Reply