BY OWOLOLA ADEBOLA
The Port Harcourt Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC has secured the conviction and sentencing of Job Wilifred before a Federal High sitting in Port Harcourt on one-count charge bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum products.
The charge read: “That you Job Wilifred on or about the 9th of August, 2019 at Onne, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court without appropriate license or authority dealt in petroleum product, to wit: 64 metric tons of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) conveyed in a Vessel, MV Western Orient and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) and punishable under Section (1) (17) (a) of Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation ) 2007”.
The defendant pleaded “guilty” to the charge.
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, N. A Dodo prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.
Justice I.M. Sani convicted and sentenced the defendant to three years imprisonment, with an option of fine of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000).
He however ordered that the Vessel: MV Western Orient, arrested alongside the convict, be released to the owner.
Wilfred was arrested by Officers of the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, Pathfinder at Onne, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on board a chartered Service Vessel: MV Western Orient, carrying 64 metric tons of Automotive Gas Oil( AGO), without an appropriate license.