A Federal High Court Judge, M.L Abubakar has sentenced Clinton Onye to five years imprisonment for dealing in illegal petroleum products, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
According to the statement, the suspect was arrested by operatives of the Anti-Bunkering Team, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in Port Harcourt and later handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution
Mr Uwujaren added that Mr Onye was arraigned by the Port Harcourt Zonal Office of the EFCC, on two- count charges bordering on conspiracy to deal in petroleum products.
The court charges read: “That you, Clinton Onye, and one Okoro, (surname unknown and currently at large), on 19th day of November, 2019, at Eleme Alimini Road, Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without lawful authority or license to deal in petroleum products , had in your possession, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Five( 875) liters of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in a Sky-blue Volvo 240 Car, with registration number: Lagos BF 573 EKY and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(1)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offence Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable thereunder”.
Mr Uwujaren added that Mr Onye pleaded guilty when the charges were read to him, adding that the defense council appealed to the court for leniency, saying that their client “was remorseful for his actions.”
“The prosecuting counsel, S.M.H Ibekwute however appealed to the court to sentence Mr Onye accordingly.
“Justice Abubakar, delivering his judgment found Mr Onye guilty, and sentenced him to five years imprisonment with an option of fine of N300, 000 (Three hundred Thousand Naira Only),” Mr Uwujaren added.
