EFCC arraigns 6 Ghanaians, Nigerian over N330 million oil theft

Six Ghanaians and their Nigerian accomplice who were arrested last December for oil bunkering were on Tuesday, February 24,2009 arraigned at a federal high court in Benin, Edo State by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The suspects were arrested on 29 th December, 2008, along Chanomi Creek, near escravos in Delta State, by officers of the Joint Task Force (JTF). All seven suspects pleaded not guilty to a two count charge of Conspiracy and Illegal dealing in 4,000 metric tonnes of petroleum products suspected to be crude oil, illegally bunkered in a vessel of 3,800 metric tonnes and 400 cubic metres, marked MT HOPE.

The names of the six Ghanaians are; Frank Opoku Anim 42yrs, Ernest Anim 35yrs, Wellington Adobah 51yrs, Kwesi Eminsang 48yrs, Seth Kpodisime 49yrs and Abraham Yao Ahiador 50yrs, while their Nigerian accomplice is Mr. Ochuko Omoreode 29yrs who hales from Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.

During court proceedings, the defence lawyer, Nkire D. Nkire Esq moved for oral application for bail for the accused persons, a request the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Idris vehemently opposed, and subsequently disposed on the ground that bail cannot be granted in a vacuum but must be based on merit and material facts which were lacking.

Investigations conducted by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission revealed that the vessel bore the name ‘MT ATHINA’ while in Ghana, but was changed to ‘MT HOPE’ when it arrived Warri water ways. Further investigations also revealed that even though Ochuko Omoreode had clearance documents for the vessel, the product contained in the vessel was sourced from unidentified barges at Chanomi Creek, off Forcados River.

The case has been adjourned to 19 th March, 2009, for consideration of bail application and commencement of trial, while the suspects are presently being remanded at the Benin prisons.

Last Friday, the EFCC secured conviction against 13 Filipinos who were sentenced to 65 years imprisonment for a similar offence.