EFCC Press Release
The Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission, EFCC, today May 27, 2015, arraigned one Elder Christopher Andrew Isibor before Justice Ibrahim Buba of the
Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on a 3-count charge bordering on conspiracy
and illegal dealing in stolen crude oil.
The suspect was
arraigned sequel to a petition by the Economic and Organized Crime Office,
EOCO, Ghana alleging that the accused person is into piracy, stealing and money
laundering alongside a Ghanaian marketer, Auxesia Energy Limited. During
investigations it was discovered that some Nigeria companies, Earth Petroleum
Development Limited, Spiral Oil and Gas Limited, hijacked a Vessel MT
Sollueshing in March, 2013 and used it to convey 167,000 metric Low Pour Fuel
Oil (LPFO) stolen from Nigerian creeks and transported to Ghana.
One of the counts
reads: ‘that you Elder Christopher Andrew Isibor “M” being a
director of Earth Petroleum Development Limited, Earth Petroleum Development
Limited and David A. O. Akhigbe “M” (now at large) sometimes between March,
2013 to August, 2013 between Nigeria and Ghana within the Jurisdiction of the
Federal High Court with intent to defraud the Federal Government of Nigeria of
the revenue accruing there from and without the permission of the appropriate
authority, exported 167,000 Metric tons of Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) out of
Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under
Section 1(8) (a) and (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17 Laws of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004”.
The accused pleaded
not guilty to the charge when read to him.
Justice Buba granted
the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000,000 (Five Hundred Million Naira Only)
and two sureties in like sum.
The prosecution
counsel, Haruna Abdulkadir asked the court to remand the accused person in
prison custody pending the perfection of the bail terms, a prayer which was
granted by Justice Buba.
The case is adjourned
to 18th June 2015 for the commencement of trial.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media &
Publicity
27th May,
2015
No comments:
Post a Comment