EFCC arraigns Gambian, Senegalese for illegal oil bunkering

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday
arraigned a Gambian, Baboucar Jallow, and a Senegalese, Ndiaga Ba,
for allegedly dealing in 300 metric tonnes of diesel without
license.

They were charged before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal
High Court in Lagos.

A Nigerian, Abel Bassey, a vessel, MT Wolof and a firm, Japcco
Limited, are the other defendants.

The EFCC, in the two-count charge, said the defendants conspired
to unlawfully deal in petroleum products.

The alleged offence contravenes Section 3(6) of the
Miscellaneous Offences Act of 2004 and punishable under Section
1(17).

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Defence counsel, Adegboyega Adetunji, urged the court to grant
the suspects bail.

But, prosecuting counsel, Ekene Iheanacho, urged court to refuse
the foreigners’ bail application.

Justice Idris rejected the bail application and ordered that the
defendants be kept in prison until the trial ends.

“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,” the judge ruled.

Justice Idris adjourned till December 13 for trial.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday
arraigned a Gambian, Baboucar Jallow, and a Senegalese, Ndiaga Ba,
for allegedly dealing in 300 metric tonnes of diesel without
license.

They were charged before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal
High Court in Lagos.

A Nigerian, Abel Bassey, a vessel, MT Wolof and a firm, Japcco
Limited, are the other defendants.

The EFCC, in the two-count charge, said the defendants conspired
to unlawfully deal in petroleum products.

The alleged offence contravenes Section 3(6) of the
Miscellaneous Offences Act of 2004 and punishable under Section
1(17).

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Defence counsel, Adegboyega Adetunji, urged the court to grant
the suspects bail.

But, prosecuting counsel, Ekene Iheanacho, urged court to refuse
the foreigners’ bail application.

Justice Idris rejected the bail application and ordered that the
defendants be kept in prison until the trial ends.

“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,” the judge ruled.

Justice Idris adjourned till December 13 for trial.