By Nkechi Eze
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court in Calabar delivered the verdict on Monday, January 13, 2025, finding Olufunsho Dayo Chevy and Uwem Udo Nya guilty of oil theft. The court also convicted a vessel, MT New Angel, and a company, Edi Eurolink Distribution, implicated in the crime. The defendants were sentenced to various prison terms.
They were prosecuted by the Uyo Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a one-count charge that verged on stealing and unlicensed dealing in petroleum products.
The charges reads: “That you, MT New Angel, Edi Eurolink Distribution, Olufunsho Dayo Chevy, Uwem Udoh Nya, Olusaneku Patrick Victor (at large), Ezie Kenneth Othuke (at large), Imo Tammy Wisdom (at large), Ege Isaiah (at large), Obanla Sunday John (at large), Asuquo Okon Iwait (at large), Yoosu Alex Aonodue (at large), Nwaigwe Kingdom (at large), Ezechukwu Stanley Nnamdi (at large), sometime in June 2024, at Calabar within the jurisdiction of this honourable court without an appropriate license issued by Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency, did deal in petroleum product (crude oil) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 13(2)(b)(i) of the Petroleum Act CAP Pi0, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 and punishable under the same Section.”
The convicts pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to them, upon which prosecution counsel, Joshua Abolarin reviewed the facts of the case, advanced evidence and urged the court to convict and sentence them as charged, while defence counsel, Chris Okeadaka and Cyprian Afahanam prayed the court to temper justice with mercy arguing that their clients were first-time offenders.
Justice Ojukwu sentenced them to a fine of N20million (Twenty Million Naira), translating to N5million (Five Million Naira) each, to be paid into the federal government’s account.
The convicts bagged their imprisonment when they were arrested by the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, Victory and handed over to the EFCC on July 30, 2024.
Relatedly, The Uyo Directorate of the EFCC, also secured a conviction and sentence of an internet fraudster, Shedrach Johnson(a.k.a Johnny Depp), for offences bordering on internet fraud on Thursday January 16, 2025.
Justice Maurine Onyetenu of the Federal High Court, Uyo, convicted and sentenced him to three months imprisonment after pleading guilty to one -count charge bordering on identity theft, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.
The lone count charge reads ‘That you SHADRACH JOHNSON IDISI “M” (aka Johnny Depp, Jennifer Lopez), sometime in 2023 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court with intent to obtain property and gain advantage for yourself, fraudulently presented yourself as “Johnny Depp and Jennifer Lopez on the Social Media platform (Facebook) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2)(b) () of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention Etc.) Amendment Act 2024 and punishable under Section 22(b) (iv) of the Same Act’.
Reviewing the facts of the matter, prosecution counsel Khamis Mahmud told the court that the convict was arrested on November 23, 2024 along Ikot Akpaden, Mkpat Enon Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. He tendered several incriminating documents printed out from his mobile device as exhibits.
Thereafter, Mahmud urged the court to convict the defendant as charged. In response, the defence counsel, Samson Awuje prayed the court for lighter jail terms for his client.
However, the judge gave the convict an option of fine of N100, 000.00 ( One Hundred Thousand Naira) and ordered the forfeiture of his Techno K.E.5 mobile phone. He also ordered that the phone be auctioned and the proceeds deposited into EFCC’s proceeds account.
Johnson was arrested for internet fraud, prosecuted and convicted.
The EFCC reaffirms its unwavering commitment to fighting economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.
