An illegal refinery

AKIN KUPONIYI
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A Federal High Court , sitting in Lagos, Nigeria’s western state, on Wednesday ordered the remand in prison custody of 20 accused persons alongside one ship, MV Long Island, and two companies, AFA Global Impex services Limited and GFL Marine services limited who were arraigned before the court for unlawful dealing in about 200 metrics tonnes of petroleum products without lawful authority.‬

‪The Presiding judge, Ibrahim Buba, after admitting each of the accused persons to bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety, ordered that they should be remanded in prison custody until their bail conditions are fulfilled.

‪The accused include MV Long Island, AFA Global Impex Service Limited, GFL Marine Services Limited, Ala Atubokiki Ibinabo, Wole Ajayi, Adesunloye Alexander Fani-Kayode, Captain Daniel Lebile, Michael Mgbanwa, Segun Ekundemi and Johnson Mashebinu, Ndidi Benjamin, Bright Nwaezuoke, Blessing Omoviye, Kayode Biboye Ireti,‬Others includes; Chuck Isiwepkweni, Friday Nchikpa, Peter Bayo, Ubom Amos, Zuopamo Embiowei, Olabamerun Owolemi, Adams Husseini, Ebisingha Timmy, Godwin Oputeh, and Ebimie Norwigeh and Olabamerin Damilola Smart, who are still at large.‬
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They were alleged to have on or about 2 December, 2014, within the jurisdiction of the court, conspired among themselves without lawful authority or appropriate licence to deal in 200 metric tonnes of petroleum product.‬

‪The offences, according to the EFCC prosecutor, Mr.Jacob Oyedepo, are contrary to sections 19(6), 17 miscellaneous offences Act Cap. 17, Laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Section 4 of the Petroleum Act. Cap. P10, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

‪The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges while the matter was adjourned till next Wednesday, for ruling on their bail application.‬
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Justice Buba, while ruling on the accused bail applications of the accused persons, said bail is a constitutional right of any accused persons according to Section 36 of 1999 Nigerian constitution, but the court should ensure that the accused are not released to ghost sureties.‬

‪Consequently, Justice Buba admitted each of the accused to bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety each.‬
He ordered that the sureties must sign and file an affidavit of ownership of landed property in Lagos state while each of the accused persons should also file an affidavit promising not to delay the trial.‬
‪He ordered that all the accused be remanded in prisons’ custody pending the time they are able to perfect the bail conditions just as he adjourned the matter till 23, 24, 25 March and 2April for accelerated trial.‬