The Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced 20 convicts to two years imprisonment for dealing in petroleum products without license.
Justice Ibrahim Buba, however, gave them an option of N200 fine.
They Captain Daniel Lebile, Ala Ibanibo, Wole Ajayi, Adesunloye Fani-Kayode, Michael Mgbanwa, Segun Ekundemi, Johnson Mashebinu, Ndidi Benjamin, Bright Nwaezuoke, Blessing Omoviye and Kayode Ireti.
Others are Chuks Isiwepkweni, Friday Nchikpa, Peter Bayo, Ubom Amos, Zuopamo Embiowei, Olabamerun Owolemi, Adams Husseini, Ebisingha Timmy and Godwin Oputeh.
Also charged is the vessel MV Long Island used in conveying the product, along with two companies: Afa Global Impex Services Ltd and GFL Marine Service Ltd.
“There is no doubt that MV Long Island was found laden with petroleum products and the crew had no valid papers or authority for the petroleum products,” the judge held.
Justice Buba said the prosecution successfully proved the offence of conspiracy, adding that the witnesses’ testimonies were not contradictory.
The convicts were arraigned in December 2014 on a three count charge. They pleaded not guilty. Prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo called four witnesses.
Justice Buba held that he had no difficulty in finding the accused persons guilty of the offence as the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“There is no doubt in the mind of this court that the vessel, MV long Island was found 100 per cent in possession of petroleum product and then arrested by the Nigerian Navy. It is on record that the accused did not have licence to deal on petroleum products as stated in evidence by PW 1 and PW 2.
“This court finds no difficulty in upholding the entire argument of prosecution witnesses. The counts of the charge are clearly established; they were found in possession of the products, and so, the irreversible conclusion is that all evidence of prosecution witnesses are credible.
“Accordingly, this court finds all the accused persons guilty of the offence as charged, and convicts them of counts one, two and three of the charge.
“The accused are accordingly, each sentenced to a two years term of imprisonment on counts one to three, with effect from Dec. 2, 2014 with an option of N200, 000 fine. The sentences are to run concurrently but not the option of fine.
“The vessel Mv Long Island which is the first convict, and the cargo onboard (exhibit p4 and 16) are forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“The exhibits in which there are no counts or charge shall be handed over to the Nigerian Police Force for their use,” he said.
In the charge, the convicts were said to have conspired to deal in petroleum products without lawful authority or appropriate license.
The offence is said to have contravened the provisions of Sections 19(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 Laws of the Federation, 2004.
