Bunkering: Court Remands Three Fishermen

Three fishermen charged with unlawful dealing in petroleum products were  yesterday remanded in prison by a Federal High Court in Lagos.
Justice Mohammed Yunusa made the order pending bail application by the accused which isexpected to be made at the next sitting of the court.
The accused, Tijani Gbadamosi, 48, Adelake Akininbosun, 54 and Kenneth Okoria, 39, are standing trial for conspiracy and unlawful dealing in petroleum products.
They were alleged to have been caught transacting business with 700 litres of petrol worth N546, 000 without lawful authority.
The trio, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, DSP Mathew Omosun, had told the court that the accused loaded 700 litres of petrol into a truck with registration number YB 200 EKY without appropriate licence to do so.
Omosun said that the product belonged to the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), adding that the alleged offence was committed on August 27, at Ijaniki area of Lagos.
According to him, the three accused intended to sell the petrol to the public.
He said the offences contravened Sections 1 (7) (a), 3 (6) and 17 (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap 17, Laws of the Federation 2007.
Counsel to the accused, Mr Mark-Anthony Akariele, told the court that he would formally file a bail application before the next sitting.
Remanding the accused, Justice Yunusa said that the next sitting of the court would be dedicated to hearing the bail application, and adjourned the matter.