The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 14 foreigners for allegedly engaging in illegal oil bunkering in Nigeria.
According to Vanguard the accused individuals are nationals of Russia, Ukraine, Japan and the United Kingdom, and have been arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.
The report states that:
According to the charge, the foreigners were said to have dealt in petroleum products without lawful authority or appropriate licence contrary to Section 19(6) of the Miscellaneous Offence Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federal of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable under Section 1(17) of the same Act.
EFCC’s lawyer told the court that the accused illegally dealt in 1,738.087 metric tons of petroleum product; 1,500 metric tons of automotive gas oil aboard MT Anukret Emerald’s cargo tank and 3,035 metric tons of low pour fuel oil, LPFO, aboard the same cargo on March 27.
Here are the names of the accused individuals:
- Artur Pakhladzhian
- Sergo Abbgarian
- Vasily Shkundich
- Vitaliy Bilours
- Hlarion Regipor
- Laguta Oleksiy
- Cadavis Gerarado
- Kretov Andry
- Badurian Benjamin
- Chepikov Olksan
- Naranjo Antero
- Patro Christian
- Alcayde Joel
- Caratiquit Beyan
The aforementioned individuals have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The judge has granted them bail of of N50 million each, with one surety in like sum (surety must be a resident of Lagos).
Also, the court ordered that the accused be remanded in prison, pending compliance with the bail conditions. The case was has been adjourned to June 17, 18 and 19 for trial.
