EFCC to produce Labinjo in court, arraigns wife, others for illegal oil deal

Abiodun OBA |

A Federal High Court, in Lagos, on Wednesday has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) the anti-graft agency to produce the former President of Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA) Niyi Labinjo in court on December 2.

Justice Muslim Hassan, gave the order in a case of illegal petroleum products dealing instituted by the anti-graft agency against Bola Labinjo, wife of, Niyi Dada Labinjo and 11 others.
Among the 12 defendants arraigned on Wednesday are Global Shipping Activities Bureau Ltd, Labland and Sea Services Ltd, MT Adeline, Mrs. Bola Labinjo, Innocent Akpan, Kehinde Labinjo, Pius Matthew Paul, Onoja Emmanuel and Adeleke Hameed, others are Jonathan Abaka alias Joy Boy, Charles Ikemefuna, Benjamin Gold Gageche, Hamzat Yakubu, Emmanuel Oputa, and Peter Dung Pule.

The defendants were alleged to have conspired with Segun Sahiyu, Ogunmoyero Oluwaseun Eric, Akpan Friday Itoro, Mr. Richard, Captain Felix, Captain Jude, Engineer Teddy, Mr. Michael, MT Juko, Captain Dada Olaniyi Olabinjo, all said to be at large, to commit the alleged illegal act sometime in 2018.

The defendants were arraigned by the EFCC on a two-count charge of conspiracy to commit felony to wit illegal dealing in petroleum products.

EFCC counsel Mrs. Oluwakemi Yemi-Makinde, said the offences contravened Section 17(a) &(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 2004.

The defendants pleaded not guilty. Justice Hassan while admitting them to bail, fixed December 2, 2019 for hearing of the vessels’ bail applications, and commencement of all the defendants’ trial.