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Court Jails Five Oil Thieves In PH
Five oil thieves have been convicted and sentenced to different jail terms by three Judges of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The convicts are: Noel Akpan; Digie Global Marine Services; MT Europort, MV Sea Rich and Obinna Onyeneho Kenneth.
They were all convicted for illegal dealing in petroleum products.
While Noel Akpan, Digie Global Marine Services and a vessel, MT Europoort were convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment each by Justice S. Pam on July 22, 2021, Justice P. M. Ayuba convicted and sentenced a vessel, MV Sea Rich to three years imprisonment on July 16, 2021 while Justice E.A. Obile convicted and sentenced Obinna Onyeneho Kenneth to three years imprisonment on June 30, 2021.
The trio of Akpan, Global Marine Services and Europort were originally arraigned by the Port Harcourt Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on June 6, 2017, and pleaded “not guilty” to three-count charges bordering on conspiracy and illegal dealing in petroleum products.
They later changed their pleas to “guilty” on July 22, 2021.
One of the charges against them read, “That you Noel Akpan (a.k.a. Ughaeze Chibuzo Valentine) and others at large on about the 2nd day of June, 2015, around Forupa Waterways, Bayelsa State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire to commit felony, to wit: adulteration of 1,500 metric tonnes of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) loaded into M.T. Europort and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3 (6) of Miscellaneous Act CAP 10 M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under 1 (18) if the same Act”
Another count read: “That you Noel Akpan, a.k.a. Ughaeze Chibuzo Valentine, Digie Global Marine Services Ltd, and others now at large, on or about the 2nd day of June, 2015, around Forupa Waterways, Bayelsa State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court engaged in adulteration of 1,500 metric tons of Automotive Gas Oil, (AGO) loaded into MT Europort and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (18) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) 2007 and punishable under Section 1 (18) of the Act”
Based on their pleas of “guilty”, prosecution counsel, F.O. Amama prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Defense counsel, C.J. Nmerem did not oppose the prayer of the prosecution.
Justice Pam convicted and sentenced Akpan to two years imprisonment with an option of fine of N1million which is to run concurrently.
He convicted Digie Marine Global Services and MT Europort to a fine of N1million and N3million, respectively.
The fines are to be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Government.
The judge also ordered that the product on board MT Europort be sold by the Chief Registrar of the Court and the proceeds paid also into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Government and evidence of payment filed in court.
Akpan’s journey to the Correctional Centre began when he was arrested by a patrol team of the Joint Task Force, JTF (Operation PULO Shield) at Forupa waterways in Bayelsa State on board MT Europort loaded with about 1,500 metric tonnes of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
He was handed over to the EFCC alongside the vessel and his company: Digie Global Marine Services.
In another court, Justice P.M. Ayuba convicted and sentenced MV Sea Rich to three years imprisonment.
The vessel was arraigned on one-count charge bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum products.
The charge read, “That you MV SEA RICH on or about the first April, 2017 around El-Totuama Boat Yard Waterside in Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court dealt in petroleum products to wit: Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) which was not of quality expected of such product and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1 (18) (a) (ii) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004”.
The vessel, represented by Sebastine Godwin, pleaded “guilty” to the lone charge preferred against it.
In view of the plea of “guilty” by the defendant, prosecuting Counsel F. C. Obinwa, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.
Counsel to the defendant, James Allen prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, stressing that “he is a first- time offender and has no previous criminal records”.
Justice Ayuba convicted and sentenced the vessel to three years in Correctional Service with an option of fine of N1million payable into the Federal Government’s Account.
Troubles came for MV Sea Rich when it was intercepted by the patrol team of Sector 3, Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, Okirika, Rivers State, on April 1, 2017, loaded with a large quantity of substance suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, AGO.
The captain and crew members vanished into thin air, leaving behind the vessel.
In the matter of Obinna Onyeneho Kenneth, Justice E.A Obile convicted and sentenced him to three years imprisonment on one-count charge bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum product.
The one count charge read, “That you Obinna Onyeneho Kenneth on or about the 11th September, 2019, around Borikiri, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did deal in petroleum product, which is not of good quality and being transported in a vehicle with a registration number HAF 841 TY, and thereby committed an offence contrary Section 1 (18) (a) (i) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Act 2007, and punishable under Section 1 (18) (a) (of the same Act).
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, K.W. Chukwuma-Eneh prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.
Justice Obile found him guilty as charged and consequently convicted and sentenced him to three years imprisonment with an option of fine of N500,000.00).
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.