A Federal High Court in Lagos State on Wednesday ordered the prison remand of 14 foreign nationals who were accused of dealing in petroleum products in Nigeria without lawful authority.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which brought the accused persons before Justice Ibrahim Buba, identified them as citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Japan and the United Kingdom.
Their remand followed their arraignment alongside their companies on four counts bordering on the alleged offence.
The names of the accused persons, according to the charge filed by the EFCC, are Artur Pakhladzhian, Sergo Abbgarian, Vasily Shkundich, Vitaliy Bilours, Hlarion Teofilo Regipor, Laguta Oleksiy and Cadavis Gerarado.
Others are Kretov Andry, Badurian Benjamin, Chepikov Olksan, Naranjo Allian Antero, Patro Christian, Alcayde Joel and Caratiquit Michael Beyan.
The prosecution alleged that the accused persons operated from their vessel named, MT Anukpet Emerald, to illegally deal in petroleum products estimated at 1,738.087 metric tons.
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The accused persons, who were alleged to have committed the offence on March 27, 2015, were equally said to have illegally dealt in 1,500 metric tons of Automated Gas Oil as well as 3,035 metric tons of Low Pour Fuel Oil.
The EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, said the men had contravened Section 4 of the Petroleum Act, Cap10, Law of the Federation of Nigeria.
The 14 foreigners, however, pleaded not guilty to the four counts.
Their lawyer, Mr. Babaji Koku, applied for their bail on self recognition and in liberal terms.
The EFCC counsel, Oyedepo, however, contended that the privilege of bail on self recognition could not apply in the case because the accused persons were foreigners.
“My Lord, the issue of granting bail on self recognition does not apply in this case because the accused persons are all foreign nationals.
“We humbly ask that even if the court would admit the accused persons to bail, the conditions should be stringent to prevent them from absconding from the country,” Oyedepo said.
Justice Buba admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N50m each with one surety each in like sum.
The judge said the sureties must be resident in Lagos, adding that the accused were also to deposit their travelling documents in the custody of the EFCC.
However, the accused informed the court that they were ready to issue a bond of N750m bank guarantee in order to avoid delay in securing a surety.
Buba, who granted the request, however, ordered that they should be remanded in prison custody pending when they would perfect their bail conditions.
He adjourned till June 17, 18 and 19 for trial.
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