Alleged N1.3bn subsidy fraud: Police arraign oil marketers
Two oil marketers, Chinyerem Nweze and Olaniran Ogundipe, on Thursday
appeared before a Federal High Court in Lagos, over an alleged N1.3
billion subsidy fraud.
The Police charged the accused, alongside their companies — Geacan Energy Ltd, and Petroleum Brokers Ltd, — on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy and fraud.
However, the accused persons pleaded not guilty to all counts of the charge.
Following their pleas, the prosecutor, Mr Dania Abdullahi, prayed the judge, Justice Musa Kurya, to remand the accused in prison and grant them accelerated trial.
Counsel to the accused, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), however, objected to the application for remand, and informed the court of a bail summons he had filed on behalf of the accused.
He argued that since the accused were granted police administrative bail on Sept. 12, they had always appeared at the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), when invited.
Idigbe told the court that the accused were also present in court as early as 7.a.m. for their arraignment, stressing that there was no likelihood that they would jump bail.
“We have particularly exhibited documents showing the medical conditions of the accused, which we urge the court to consider in granting bail.
“The first accused is suffering from a severe spinal cord disorder, while the second accused has acute peptic ulcer, which both require proper medical attention.
“It will serve the interest of justice if the accused are admitted to
bail on liberal terms, since they have proved themselves to be honest
people,” he said.
Justice Kurya, in his ruling, admitted each of the accused to bail in the sum of N1.5 billion, with one surety in like sum.
He said that the sureties must occupy the position of a Permanent Secretary in Lagos State, and must exhibit evidence of such position before the court.
The judge ruled that the accused should be remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons within 24 hours, if they failed to meet the bail conditions.
He fixed Nov. 6, Nov. 7 and Nov. 8 for trial.
NAN reports that the accused were alleged to have committed the offence between January and April, 2011.
They were alleged to have fraudulently obtained the sum of N1.32 billion from the Federal Government, under the pretext of importing about 18,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The prosecutor alleged that the accused forged a consolidated Hallmark Marine Insurance Certificate, with which they perpetrated the fraud.
He said that the accused never imported the products.
The offence contravenes the provisions of Sections 1(1), 1(2), 3 (1), 8 (a), and 10 (1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, Cap. A6, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
Some aspects also contravene the provisions of Section 467 of the Criminal Code, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
NAN reports that anyone convicted of the offence is liable to imprisonment for not more than 20 years and not less than seven years.
The Police charged the accused, alongside their companies — Geacan Energy Ltd, and Petroleum Brokers Ltd, — on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy and fraud.
However, the accused persons pleaded not guilty to all counts of the charge.
Following their pleas, the prosecutor, Mr Dania Abdullahi, prayed the judge, Justice Musa Kurya, to remand the accused in prison and grant them accelerated trial.
Counsel to the accused, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), however, objected to the application for remand, and informed the court of a bail summons he had filed on behalf of the accused.
He argued that since the accused were granted police administrative bail on Sept. 12, they had always appeared at the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), when invited.
Idigbe told the court that the accused were also present in court as early as 7.a.m. for their arraignment, stressing that there was no likelihood that they would jump bail.
“We have particularly exhibited documents showing the medical conditions of the accused, which we urge the court to consider in granting bail.
“The first accused is suffering from a severe spinal cord disorder, while the second accused has acute peptic ulcer, which both require proper medical attention.
Justice Kurya, in his ruling, admitted each of the accused to bail in the sum of N1.5 billion, with one surety in like sum.
He said that the sureties must occupy the position of a Permanent Secretary in Lagos State, and must exhibit evidence of such position before the court.
The judge ruled that the accused should be remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons within 24 hours, if they failed to meet the bail conditions.
He fixed Nov. 6, Nov. 7 and Nov. 8 for trial.
NAN reports that the accused were alleged to have committed the offence between January and April, 2011.
They were alleged to have fraudulently obtained the sum of N1.32 billion from the Federal Government, under the pretext of importing about 18,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The prosecutor alleged that the accused forged a consolidated Hallmark Marine Insurance Certificate, with which they perpetrated the fraud.
He said that the accused never imported the products.
The offence contravenes the provisions of Sections 1(1), 1(2), 3 (1), 8 (a), and 10 (1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, Cap. A6, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
Some aspects also contravene the provisions of Section 467 of the Criminal Code, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
NAN reports that anyone convicted of the offence is liable to imprisonment for not more than 20 years and not less than seven years.
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