The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday in Lagos charged two more oil marketers and a company before an Ikeja High Court over the alleged fuel subsidy scam.
Arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo were Oluwaseun Ogunbambo, Habila Theck and Fargo Petroleum and Gas Ltd.
The accused are facing a six-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretences, forgery and use of false documents.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olugbenga Adesanya, who allegedly conspired with the defendants, was, however, not arraigned.
On July 26, 17 oil marketers and seven companies were arraigned but were granted bail.
Counsel to the EFCC, Mr Rotimi Jacobs, told the court that the defendants and the oil company had on Feb. 10 fraudulently obtained N980 million from the Federal Government under false pretences.
He alleged that the accused claimed that the money represented the subsidy that accrued to them from the importation of 13,627,084 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol).
Jacobs said the fuel was purportedly purchased from one Seatac Petroleum Ltd and imported into country through MT Diplomat Ex mT Milleura.
He also alleged that the defendants had on Oct. 14 in Lagos forged some documents, including Certificate of Origin, Port of Loading — Antwerp Belgium — to obtain the money.
The offences, Jacobs said, contravened Sections 1(1), (2), (3) and 8 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and Sections 363 and 364 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
Counsel to the defendants, Mr Babajide Koku, asked for a short adjournment to enable the court to hear the bail applications.
The judge ordered that Ogunbambo and Theck be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case to Aug. 1. (NAN)