The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday arraigned the trio of Onoshride Usen, Babangida Bello and Nurah Mohammed before Justice A. M. Liman of the Federal High Court, Benin on a 2-count charge bordering on conspiracy and illegal dealing in Petroleum product.
When the charge was read to the accused persons, they pleaded not guilty.
One of the charges read, “that you Onoshride Usen, Babangida Bello and Nurah Mohammed on or about the 22nd day of October, 2013 along Ahor Benin -Lagos expressway, Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Edo State, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without appropriate license did deal in Petroleum Product to wit, 33,000 litres of substance suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil(AGO) conveyed in a white DAF truck with Registration number XZ 127 APP for sale and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 (7) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Act 2007 and Punishable under section 1 (17) of the same Act”.
The accused persons were arrested sometimes in October 2013 at Ahor Benin/Lagos Express way, Uhunmwode LGA of Edo by men of the Joint Task Force, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army with over 33,000 litres of Illegal Petroleum Product in a DAF truck with Lagos registration number XZ 127 APP.
Justice Liman granted the accused bail in the sum of One Million Naira (N1, 000,000.00) and one surety each in like sum. The surety must be resident and own a landed property within the jurisdiction and it must be verified by the registrar of the court.
The case has been adjourned to the 5th of March, 2014 for commencements of trial.
