FG Arraigns 12 Ghanians In Court Over Alleged Pipeline Vandalism, Theft Of Petroleum Products

FG Arraigns 12 Ghanians In Court Over Alleged Pipeline Vandalism, Theft Of Petroleum Products

The Federal government yesterday arraigned 12 Ghanian Fishermen before the Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged pipeline vandalism and theft of petroleum products.

The accused persons are: Ferdinard Gbadonde, Deny Atika, Isaac Zola, Raphael Awonsu, Friday Ukpati, Tose Loko, Kokunu Nanani, Kokunu Koku, Fatai Nkpati, Sule Nkpati, Medai Awonsu and Jeremy Agofia.

They were arraigned before Justice John Tsoho on a four count charge of conspiracy, vandalism, stealing and sale of Petroleum products by the government.

The foreigners, however. pleaded not guilty to the charge.

According to the prosecutor, Abayomi Adedayo, the accused persons, who were apprehended within the Nigerian territorial waters, close to Ibereko village in Badagry, Lagos, committed the offence on July 12 at about 4 a.m.

Adedayo also alleged that about 540 kegs of 25 litres of PMS (petrol) and 250 drums containing about 250 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene, was recovered from the accused, who were on their way to Seme.

The lawyer further alleged that the products were discovered after investigation to have been obtained from a vandalised pipeline within the locality.

He maintained that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 1 (7), 3 (c) and 117 of the Miscellanous Offence Act, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation, 2004.

After their pleas were taken, the prosecutor, then applied that they be remanded in prisons custody, pending the commencement of their trial.

But their counsel, Isaac Boro, informed the court of a pending bail application and that the accused had earlier been arraigned before Justice Okon Abang of the same court in August during the court's annual vacation.

Boro urged the court to admit the accused to bail on liberal terms especially as the offence for which they were charged was not a capital offence.

The lawyer submitted that the nationality of the accused was immaterial in determining bail, adding that he would ensure the provision of credible sureties to stand in for the accused.

Objecting to the bail application, the prosecutor, prayed the court to refuse the accused persons bail on the grounds that they would jump bail if granted. 

The lawyer also told the court that intelligence report showed that the accused were Ghanians who only came into Nigeria for the purpose of business, adding that their addresses were situated outside the country.

Adedayo argued that they were arrested on the high sea on their way to Seme, arguing that the accused would abscond if granted bail.

But in a short ruling, Justice Tsoho agreed with the submissions of the defence counsel on the grounds that the nationality of an accused was not a determining factor in granting bail.

The Judge noted that although the prosecutor had argued that intelligence report showed that the accused were on their way out of Nigeria, he had failed to depose to that fact in his counter affidavit.

The court also held that it was inclined to granting bail in favour of the accused, and consequently, admitted them to bail in the sum of N2 million each, with one surety each in like sum.

According to the judge the surties must be resident in Lagos, and must depose to an affidavit of means.

Before he adjourned the case to January 26, Justice Tsoho ordered the accused persons be remanded at the Ikoyi prisons, until they perfect their bail terms.