Justice Akintoye Aluko of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Thursday ordered the remand of 10 alleged oil thieves in the Nigerian Correctional Service for vandalising the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s pipeline on the high sea.

The 10 suspected oil thieves are Adewale Abisoye, Oliver Sena, Wisdom Michael, Jonah Alari, Dafe Empire, Raphael Kumake, Asukwo Okonabia, Oyekan Fatia, Peter John and Isiaka Dosa.

The defendants are facing two counts of conspiracy and wilful tampering with a pipeline preferred against them by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The prosecuting counsel, Erute Okandeji, told the court that the incident occurred on August 20, 2023, around 12.04am at the NNPCL/SPM on the high sea.

According to him, the offences committed contravened Sections Section 3(6) and 1 (7) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences AP M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following their not-guilty plea, Okandeji asked the court for a trial date and the remand of the defendants in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service.

But counsel for the defendants, A. A. Omiunu, said he intended to file a bail application and pleaded with the court for a short adjournment.

Justice Aluko ordered the remand of all the defendants in the

custody of the NCS and adjourned the case till September 27, 2023, for trial.

In this article