Court sentences oil thief to five-year imprisonment

Justice M.L Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday sentenced one Clinton Onye to five years imprisonment for illegal dealing in petroleum products.

The Head of Media and Publicity for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Wilson Uwujaren, who disclosed this in a statement sent to Ripples Nigeria, said the convict was arraigned by the commission on a two-count of conspiracy to deal in petroleum products.

This, according to him, was contrary to Section 17(1)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offence Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable under same.

One of the charges read:

“That you, Clinton Onye, and one Okoro, (surname unknown and currently at large), on 19th day of November 2019, at Eleme Alimini Road, Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without lawful authority or license to deal in petroleum products had in your possession, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Five( 875) liters of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in a Sky-blue Volvo 240 Car, with registration number: Lagos BF 573 EKY and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(1)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offence Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable thereunder.”

READ ALSO: Oil thief jailed two years in Port Harcourt

He pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to him.

Based on the guilty plea, the prosecuting counsel, S.M.H Ibekwute, urged the court to sentence him accordingly.

However, the defense counsel, B. J.O Ekowo, pleaded for leniency on his client’s behalf.

In his judgment, Justice Abubakar sentenced him to five years imprisonment.

He, however, gave the convict an option of fine of N300, 000 fine.

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