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Court Remands Nine Foreigners Over Illegal Oil Deal
A Federal High Court in Lagos, yesterday, ordered the prison remand of nine foreign nationals who allegedly dealt in petroleum products in Nigeria without lawful authority or appropriate licence.
The nine accused persons comprised of five Filipinos and four citizens of Bangladesh.
Their names, according to the charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), are Axel Joseph Gibo Jabone, Juanito Camireno Infantado, Suarin Fernado Alave, Gatila Jaypee Gadayan, and Rolando Jose Commendador.
Others are Mohammed Zahirul Islam, Islam Shahinul, Islam Rafiqul and Shaikn Shibli Nomany.
The EFCC yesterday arraigned the accused foreigners along with their vessel, MT Asteris, on four counts bordering on dealing in petroleum products without lawful authority.
The men were accused of conspiracy, attempt to unlawfully export crude oil from Nigeria, and unlawful storage of crude oil.
The EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, in the charge marked FHC/L/CS/239c/15, alleged that the foreigners committed the offence on March 27, 2015 in Lagos.
The prosecution accused the men of dealing in 3,423,097 metric tons of crude oil without a valid licence.
This, according to the anti-graft agency, was contrary to Section 4 of the Petroleum Act, Cap P10, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty to the four counts.
Following their plea, their lawyer, Mr. Femi Adegbite, applied that they be admitted to bail in liberal terms.
Following no objection from the prosecution, the trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba, admitted each of the accused persons to bail in the sum of N50million, with one surety each in like sum.
Buba said the surety must be a Nigerian and must provide an evidence of means.
The matter was adjourned till June 23, 2015, for trial.
Meanwhile, the judge has dismissed the objection filed by another set of foreigners challenging the jurisdiction of the court to try them for alleged unlawful dealing in petroleum products.
The accused persons include seven Britons, three Russians, one Japanese, and three Ukranians.
Buba, in a short ruling, said that the accused were charged under the Miscellaneous Offences Act, and that the EFCC had power to prosecute offences under the Act.
The judge added, “The instant case is not an abuse of court proceedings, the accused have a case to answer and the court has jurisdiction to entertain the case, I hereby dismiss the objection and adjourn the case till June 19 for trial.”
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
