The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Uyo Zonal Command, said it has secured the conviction and sentencing of one Olufunsho Dayo Chevy and Uwem Udo Nya for oil theft alongside a vessel, MT New Angel, and a company, Edi Eurolink Distribution.
The EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, in a statement on Friday, said the convicts were sentenced by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Calabar, on Monday, January 13, 2025, on a one-count charge bordering on stealing and unlicensed dealing in petroleum products.
Oyewale said they were sentenced to a fine of N20 million (Twenty Million Naira), translating to N5 million (Five Million Naira) each, to be paid into the federal government’s account.
The charges read:
“That you, MT New Angel, Edi Eurolink Distribution, Olufunsho Dayo Chevy, Uwem Udoh Nya, Olusaneku Patrick Victor (at large), Ezie Kenneth Othuke (at large), Imo Tammy Wisdom (at large), Ege Isaiah (at large), Obanla Sunday John (at large), Asuquo Okon Iwait (at large), Yoosu Alex Aonodue (at large), Nwaigwe Kingdom (at large), Ezechukwu Stanley Nnamdi (at large), sometime in June 2024, at Calabar within the jurisdiction of this honourable court without an appropriate license issued by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency, did deal in petroleum product (crude oil) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 13(2)(b)(i) of the Petroleum Act CAP Pi0, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 and punishable under the same Section.”
Oyewale said the convicts pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to them, upon which prosecution counsel, Joshua Abolarin, reviewed the facts of the case, advanced evidence, and urged the court to convict and sentence them as charged. Defence counsel, Chris Okeadaka and Cyprian Afahanam, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, arguing that their clients were first-time offenders.
He further said the convicts were arrested by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory and handed over to the EFCC on July 30, 2024.
Oyewale also disclosed the conviction and sentencing of an internet fraudster, Shedrach Johnson (a.k.a Johnny Depp), for offences bordering on internet fraud on Thursday, January 16, 2025.
He said Justice Maurine Onyetenu of the Federal High Court, Uyo, convicted and sentenced him to three months imprisonment after pleading guilty to a one-count charge bordering on identity theft, impersonation, and obtaining by false pretence.
The judge gave the convict an option of a fine of N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) while ordering the forfeiture of his Tecno K.E.5 mobile phone. She also directed that the phone be auctioned and the proceeds deposited into the EFCC’s proceeds account.
