Twelve persons, a vessel, MT Mother Comfort, and a firm, Azamosa Ltd, who allegedly dealt in 240 metric tonnes of Automative Gas Oil (diesel) without appropriate licence or lawful authority, were Thursday brought before a Federal High Court in Lagos.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the defendants before Justice Muslim Hassan, on a three-count charge.
The 12 other defendants are Ojajuni Adebowale, Dele Napoleon, Aderemi Akinade, Stephen Ogunboye, Ekene Okendu, Agbanoma John, Azu Okengwu, Alum Julius, Awah Ucheojo, Femi James, Odenike Rasaq and Neele Keerebari.
EFCC Counsel Mr. Mohammed Idris alleged that they committed the offence on July 24, in Lagos.
He said that the offence contravened sections 3(3) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 2004 and punishable under Section 1(17) of the same Act.
The court heard that the defendants also infringed Section 4 of the Petroleum Act, 2004.
The defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following an application by their lawyer, Sola Obaribirin, Justice Hassan granted each defendant N10million bail with one surety in the like sum.
He remanded the defendants in Correctional Service custody pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions.
Trial begins February 4 and 5.
The Nation
