Connect with us

Niger Delta

Court Jails Four Oil Thieves, Three Companies, Yahoo Boy In PH

Published

6 years ago

on

Justice A.T. Turaki of the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, last Wednesday, convicted and sentenced four oil thieves to one year imprisonment for dealing in petroleum products without appropriate licences.
Also convicted were three companies used in the perpetuation of the crime.
The convicts are Jasper Akala, Jimmy Daoudu, Benjamin Okechukwu and Noble Wachukwu. The companies convicted were Delta Marine Shipping Company Limited, Delmar Petroleum Company Limited and Skymint Energy Limited.
They were all re-arraigned last Wednesday, July 3, 2019 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Harcourt’s Zonal office, on three count amended charges bordering on dealing in petroleum product without appropriate licences.
Count one read: “That you Jasper Akala, Jimmy Daoudu, Benjamin Okechukwu, Barge MV Delma Eagle, Delta Marine Shipping Company Limited, Delmar Petroleum Company Limited, Skymint Energy Limited and Noble Wachukwu on or about the 18th November, 2016 around Taraba Jetty, Borokiri, Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did store about 800,000 liters of Automated Gas Oil petroleum product in the Tank of MV Delma Eagle being conveyed to Calabar without lawful authority of a valid licence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4 (1)(a) & (b) of Petroleum Act and Punishable under Section 4(6) of the same Act”.
While all the convicts pleaded “guilty” to count one of the charges, Jimmy Daodu (2nd defendant) pleaded “not guilty” to counts 2 and 3 respectively.
Prosecution counsel, K.W. Chukwuma Eneh and all the defence counsels: Francis Arochukwu for the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th convicts, C.A.C Opurum for the 3rd and 7th convict and V.N. Nweke for the 8th convict agreed on the convicts’ pleas of “guilty.”
In view of their pleas, Chukwuma-Eneh prayed the court to convict them accordingly.
Justice Turaki convicted and sentenced Jasper Akala, Jimmy Daoudu, Benjamin Okechukwu and Noble Wachukwu to one year imprisonment each or a fine of one million naira (N1,000,000) in lieu of imprisonment.
The Judge also convicted and sentenced Delta Marine Shipping Company Limited, Delmar Petroleum Company Limited and Skymint Energy Limited to one year imprisonment each or a fine of one million naira (N1,000,000) in lieu of imprisonment.
The convicts courted troubles when they were intercepted by Operation Delta Safe, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State alongside a barge, MV Delma Eagle loaded with about 800,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil at Taraba Jetty, Borokiri, Port Harcourt sometime in November, 2016. Investigations showed that they had no license to deal in petroleum products.
Meanwhile, another judge in the same court, also convicted and sentenced Aretuemhen Frank to one year imprisonment for defrauding an American lady, Thorman Benson of the sum of $12000 (twelve thousand American dollars) in series of online dating deals.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

7 days ago

on

September 12, 2025

By

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.
Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.
Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.
He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”
“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.
In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.
“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.
Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.
“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.
The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.
Continue Reading

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

7 days ago

on

September 12, 2025

By

The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.
Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.
He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.
“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.
“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.
“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.
The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.
Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.
Continue Reading

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

7 days ago

on

September 12, 2025

By

The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.
Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.
The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.
The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.
Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.
The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.
Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.
Continue Reading

Trending