The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned Dickson Chukwu and Peter Mbaeze before the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt and Federal High Court, Asaba, respectively, for offences bordering on illegal dealings in petroleum products and pipeline vandalism. While Chukwu was docked on a two count charge of conspiracy/illegal dealing in petroleum products before Justice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court I, Port Harcourt; Peter Mbaeze was arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State, for vandalizing an oil pipeline within Egbrede Community in Ndokwa East LGA of Delta State. The pipeline belongs to Nigeria Agip Oil Company Limited.

Count one of the two count charge against Chukwu reads: “That you Dickson Chukwu and others now at large on or about the 16th March 2012 at Port Harcourt within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did conspire with each other to commit felony to wit: Dealing in Petroleum Product contrary to Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Act, 2007 and punishable under Section 1(17) of the same Act”.

Count one of the two count charge against Mbaeze reads; “That you Mbaeze Peter ‘M’ and another now at large on or about the 9th day of February, 2012 at Egbrede Community in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State within the jurisdiction of the Honorable court, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: Tampering with oil pipeline meant for transportation of crude oil, property of Nigeria Agip Oil Company Limited and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17, of the revised edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2007) and punishable under Section 1(7)(a) of the same Act”.

Chukwu was arrested by operatives of the EFCC on 16th March, 2012, along the Nigerian Ports Authority Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with a Mercedes Benz Truck with Registration Number XB 983 NSK, loaded with 20 drums of Petroleum Product suspected to be adulterated automotive gas oil, AGO concealed with about 600 bags of cement. Mbaeze on the other hand, was arrested on 10th February, 2012.

Both accused pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them by the EFCC. Chukwu was admitted to bail by Justice Akanbi in the sum of N2, 000,000 (Two Million Naira only) and two sureties in like sum. The Judge further ruled that the sureties must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court and the address verified by EFCC. Mbaeze was similarly granted bail in the sum of N5, 000,000 (Five Million Naira only) and a surety in like sum.

Mbaeze is to return to the court on 26th September, 2012, for hearing, while Chukwu’s case is adjourned to 7th November, 2012.

Wilson Uwujaren
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
19th July, 2012.