The Federal High Court Sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has remanded nine foreigners and two Nigerians in the Port Harcourt prison for alleged oil theft.
The suspects who are two Pakistani, two Ukrainians, three Ghanaians, one Beninois, one Indonesian as well as two Nigerians;Victor Azebiri and David Otuhohi, were arraigned along with a Company Asztral Shipping Corporation SA, and a Vessel, MT. Tecne.
A statement from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spokesman Wilson Uwujaren, they are facing a four count charge bordering on conspiracy, dealing in petroleum products without a license and tampering with oil pipelines.
The suspects’ ship was reportedly intercepted by the NNs Delta on April 25 at the SPDC terminal, near Escravos in Burutu local government area of delta state for alleged illegal loading of petroleum products suspected to be crude oil.
ITS crew members allegedly connived with Victor Azeberi and two others who are now at large, to siphon about 1905.836 cubic litres of crude oil
After hearing both the prosecution and defence counsel, Justice James Omotoso adjourned the suit to September 6, 2017 for arraignment and hearing.
Justice Omotosho also ordered the prosecution to provide interpreters for the accused persons.
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