The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, on Thursday July 5, 2012, arraigned eight illegal dealers in petroleum products before Justice E. S. Chukwu of the Federal High Court, sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The accused persons are Garba Ismaila, Saidu Tanimu, Suleiman Abdullahi, Aliyu Abubakar, Ibrahim Sani, Yahaya Musa, Jacob Etim Nsoh and Felix Sunday Edubio. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

Counsel to EFCC, Mrs. Blessing Akinsola, raised no objection to the bail application filed by the defence counsel, Anthony Ante.

The court granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N1m and one surety each in like sum. Each surety must own landed property within the jurisdiction of the court, and must show evidence of tax payment between 2010 and 2011. The surety must also swear to an affidavit of means and must submit a national identification and two passport photographs to the court.

Justice Chukwu adjourned the case to September 18, 2012, for continuation of trial.

Wilson Uwujaren
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
18th July, 2012.