…EFCC arrests 21 alleged cyber criminals in Ibadan

Justice P. I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, convicted and sentenced an oil thief, Alu Isaac, to two years imprisonment for unlawfully dealing in petroleum products without requisite licence.

According to a statement made available by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Alu Isaac was prosecuted on a one-count charge bordering on conspiracy and illegal dealing in petroleum products by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Commission.

The count reads: “That you, Isaac Alu, being the driver on board Ivo Truck with registration number: ABC 190 XJ on or about January 22, 2022, at Port Harcourt expressway, Rivers State, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority dealt in petroleum product to wit: Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 1 (17) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17 of the Reverse Edition (Laws of the Federal Government of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under Section 1 (17) of the same Act.”

The statement further said that Isaac pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

Alu Isaac
Alu Isaac

In view of his plea, prosecution counsel M .T. Iko reviewed the facts of the case through the prosecution witness, PW1, Assistant Superintendent of EFCC, ASE Mahmud Kharisu, who told the court that the defendant was arrested by personnel of 6 Division, Nigeria Army for illegal dealing in petroleum products without any licence.

“He was apprehended sometime in January 2022, while on board a truck with registration number ABC 190 XJ, loaded with petroleum product suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) at Ogbaku Village in Abia State,” he said.

In view of the exhibit tendered and the testimonies of the witness, prosecution prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant as charged.

Counsel to the defendant, Emmanuella Joe, asked the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing the defendant, stating that he is a first-time offender and he does not have previous criminal records.

Justice Ajoku convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment with option of N200, 000.00 as fine.

The court also ordered that the adulterated product in the truck with registration number ABC 190 XJ be forfeited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC yesterday arrested 21 suspected internet fraudsters including two females in an intelligence-driven operation at Agbowo in Akobo and Idi–Ishin areas of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The suspects are Abdulsalam Yusuf Olamilekan, Henry Ugochukwu Ike, Sobowale Tolulope Enoch, Franklin Ibeh Kelechi, Aderoju Hammed Akande, Afolabi Mayowa Akinbobola, Emmanuel Victor Oluwasegun, Odidwe Victory Okwise, Okeke Hycent Obina, Ibelih Powel Theophilus, Anifowose Dolapo Praise, Balogun Oluwatobi Ayodeji and Ayoade Rofeek Mayowa.

Others are Samuel Shuaibu Adavize, Damilare Olaonipekun Gbolahan, Tajudeen Opeyemi Quozim, Lawal Opeyemi Quwwatullah, Adebisi Olaide Idris, Abiola Toheeb Olawale, Olanrewaju Hammed Rafiu, Olayiwola Toheeb Olanrewaju and Nikoro Elizabeth Temitope.

Items recovered include five exotic cars, two brand new motorcycles, forty mobile phones, fifteen laptops, three 4G routers, one apple eye watch, several MTN SIM cards and one international passport, among others.

The Commission said the suspects will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.