Man gets five years jail over oil theft in Rivers

On Monday, a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, sentenced an oil thief, Clinton Onye, to five years’ imprisonment for illegally dealing in petroleum products.

Justice M. L. Abubakar gave the judgment following the convict’s arraignment by the Port Harcourt zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on two counts bordering on conspiracy to deal in petroleum products, contrary to Section 17(1)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offence Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable under the same section.

Justice Abubakar found Onye guilty and sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment with an option of fine of N300,000.

The Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement that the convict was arrested by the anti-bunkering team of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, and handed over to the commission for further investigation and prosecution.

The convict pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against him.

Consequent upon his plea, the prosecuting counsel, S. M. Ibekwute, prayed the court to sentence him accordingly, while the defence counsel, B. J. Ekowo, begged for leniency, adding that the convict was remorseful.