The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday arraigned five persons before a Federal High Court in Lagos over an illegal deal in petroleum products.
The defendants, Mt Vinnalaris (a vessel), Azeez Abubakar, Wisdom Borborley, Samuel Akpan and Freedom Otuagoma, appeared before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on two counts bordering on unlawful dealings in petroleum products.
They, however, pleaded guilty.
Following their plea, the prosecutor, R.A. Abdurasheed, told the court that the prosecution had filed the plea bargain agreement with the defendants before the court.
Consequently, the court adjourned the case until April 25, for adoption of plea bargain agreement.
The court, however, ordered that the defendants should remain in custody of the prosecution till the said date.
In the charge, the defendants were said to have committed the offense sometime in 2023, while on the Nigerian maritime domain.
They were alleged to have dealt in 515.8 litres of crude oil without lawful authority.
The offense contravenes the provisions of sections 1(17) and 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 Law of the Federation 2004.
