Oil thief bags three years in Port Harcourt

The Port Harcourt Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentencing of Pascal Nnaji before a Federal High sitting in Port Harcourt on one count charge bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum products.

The offence runs contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) and punishable under Section (1) (17) (a) of Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation), 2007

The charge reads: “That you Pascal Nnaji on or about the 9th of August, 2019 at Onne, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without appropriate licence or authority dealt in petroleum product, to wit: 64 metric tonnes of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) conveyed in a Vessel, MV Western Orient and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a)  and punishable under Section (1) (17) (a) of Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation ) 2007.”

The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge.

In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, N. A Dodo prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.

Justice A. T. Mohammed convicted and sentenced the defendant to three years imprisonment, with an option of fine of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000). He also ordered that the Vessel:  MV Western Orient, be released to the owner.