15 Persons In Custody Over Sale Of Petroleum Products

A Port Harcourt Magistrate Court presided over by I.O Agbesor, has reminded fifteen persons in prison custody for allegedly selling petroleum products without valid licence.

The accused persons are Gift Isaac, Waribe John, Godknows Jonathan, Sunday Okeke, Clement Onobi and Shedrack Eze. Others are Murtala Abdul, Peter Etim Effiong, Meshack Musa, Augustine Osagie and Alex Musa.

Also remanded include Oba Musa, Saibu Jakubu, Odion Omoruly and Umaru Musa who are standing trial on three count charge bordering on bunkering, illegal sale of petroleum product and among others.

The prosecuting police officer, Tony Umana Esq told the court that the accused persons on 30th January, 2012 at Mango Estate, Elelenwo in the Port Harcourt Magisterial District sold petroleum product without valid licence.

The prosecution counsel further told the court that the accused persons on the same date at Princess Yard, New Eleme and in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State all within the jurisdiction of the court did transact business of petroleum products without a genuine clearance.

He averred that the accused persons committed an offence punishable under Section 5.1(17) A of the miscellaneous offences Act, Cap, M17, laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004.

However, all the accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought against them.

The presiding magistrate, I.O. Agbesor Esq, remanded the accused persons in prison custody. He directed the case file to be transmitted to the Federal Directorate of Public Prosecution (FDPP) for legal advice.

The case was later adjourned to May 28, 2012 for further hearing.