Victor EzejaThe Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has convicted and sentenced, Abdullahi Umar to two years imprisonment for illegally dealing in petroleum products.
According to a statement by the Head of Media & Publicity, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Wilson Uwujaren, Umar’s journey to prison began when he was arrested by officers of 6 Division, Nigeria Army on October 7, 2021, around Okporowo, Port Harcourt in Rivers State, for illicit business in petroleum products.
He was subsequently handed over to the EFCC, Port Harcourt Zonal Command, alongside the truck, for more investigation and possible prosecution.
Umar was convicted on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, by Justice S. D. Pam after pleading “guilty” to a one-count charge preferred against him by the EFCC.
The one-count charge read: “That you Abdullahi Umar being the driver on board Axor Tanker with registration number: ENU 952 ZE on or about the 7th October 2021 at Okporowo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority dealt in petroleum product, to wit: 15,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(17) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under Section 1 (17) (ii) of the same Act”
Umar pleaded “guilty” when the charge was read to him. In view of his plea, prosecution counsel M. T. Iko, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.
Counsel to the defendant, A.S. W. Amadi, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, ”for he is a first-time offender with no previous criminal records.”
Justice Pam sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment in a Correctional Centre, with an option of a fine of Five Hundred Thousand Naira only (N500,000.00) payable into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federation. The judge ordered that the 15,000 litres of illegally-refined petroleum product (AGO) seized alongside the truck with registration number: ENU 952 ZE be forfeited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and sold by the Secretary of the EFCC, or any other person designated by him, while proceeds of the sale should be paid into the EFCC’s Recovery Account domiciled with the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN). He also released the Truck to its owner.
The judge ordered the convict to depose to an affidavit of good behaviour before the court.
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Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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