10 In Court Over For Illegal Bunkering

Police in Rivers State Monday arraigned 10 foreign nationals
allegedly accused of illegally dealing on petroleum products before a federal
high court in Port Harcourt.

The Tide learnt that the 10 foreign nationals were arrested
on June 6, 2012 by the Nigerian Navy with the vessel MT Vanessa in the Nigerian
coast and handed over to the state police command for prosecution.

The accused persons were dragged to the court on two count
charges of illegal bunkering and petroleum theft by Justice Lambo Akombi. The
accused persons pleaded not guilty on the two count charge brought against them
before the court.

Counsel to the accused, Geoffrey Joseph orally applied for
the bail of the accused on liberal and health grounds adding that the court has
the jurisdiction to grant his clients bail.

However, the state counsel, Barrister Mercy Nweke opposed
the bail application sought by the defence counsel on the grounds that it was
improperly presented and urged the court to refuse the oral application.

In his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Lambo Akombi
upheld the position canvassed by the state counsel and ordered that the accused
be remanded in the federal prisons in Port Harcourt.

Justice Akombi, while adjourning the case to October 3, 2012
urged the defence counsel to come up with a proper bail application for
consideration.