Twelve Ghanaian fishermen were, yesterday, arraigned before a
Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, over alleged vandalism and theft of
petroleum products.
The accused are Ferdinard Gbadonde,
Deny Atika, Isaac Zola, Raphael Awonsu, Friday Ukpati, Tose Loko, Kokunu
Nanani, Kokunu Koku, Fatai Nkpati, Sule Nkpati, Medai Awonsu and Jeremy Agofia.
They are standing trial on a
four-count charge of conspiracy, vandalism, stealing and sale of petroleum
products. They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor told the court that
the accused committed the offence on July 12 at 4 a.m.
He said that they were apprehended
within the Nigerian territorial waters, close to Ibereko village in Badagry,
Lagos.
According to the prosecutor, about
540 kegs of 25 litres of petrol and 250 drums, containing about 250 litres of
Dual Purpose Kerosene, was recovered from the accused, who were on their way to
Seme.
He said the products were
investigated to have been obtained from a vandalised pipeline within the
locality.
According to the prosecutor, the
offence contravened the provisions of Sections 1 (7), 3 (c) and 117 of the
Miscellaneous Offence Act, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation, 2004.
After the plea of the accused had
been taken, the prosecutor then applied that they be remanded in custody,
pending trial.
In reaction, counsel to the accused,
informed the court of a bail application filed on behalf of the accused.
He told the court presided by
Justice John Tsoho, that the accused had earlier been arraigned before Justice
Okon Abang in August, during the court’s vacation.
He argued that they were arrested on
the high sea on their way to Seme, adding that the accused would abscond if
granted bail.
Justice Tsoho, however, in a short
ruling upheld the submission of defence counsel on the grounds that the
nationality of an accused was not a determinant factor in granting bail.
The court, however, ordered the
accused to be remanded at the Ikoyi prisons until they perfect their bail terms
He adjourned the case to January 26,
2015 for trial.
By Innocent Anaba for Vanguard
newspaper
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