A Federal High Court in Rivers State has remanded nine foreigners and two Nigerians in prison for oil theft.

The suspects are Mohammed Ejaz, Naseer Khan (Pakistani), Oleksandr Nazarenko, Oleksandr Kashernvi (Ukrainians), Romeo Annang, Francis Ahorlu, and Kwesi Attah (Ghanaians).

Others are Victor Mikpayi (Beninois), Fredrik Fatin Omenu (Indonesian), Victor Azebiri, David Otuhohi (Nigerians) and a company, Asztral Shipping Corporation SA, and a vessel, MT. TECNE (a.k.a MT STAR).

They were remanded pending arraignment and hearing of a 4-count charge bordering on conspiracy, dealing in petroleum products without a license and tampering with oil pipelines.

At the commencement of proceedings for their arraignment on Wednesday, Counsel to the EFCC, Kayode Oni, brought before the court an ex-parte application seeking the leave of the court to hear the defendants’ charge filed during the annual vacation of the court which was granted by the judge.

The counsel to the 2nd-11th defendants, Abiye Atorudibo, however notified the court that the 5th, 6th and 11th defendants who are Ukranians and Indonesians are not proficient in English language and requested that the prosecution provide interpreters for the accused persons.

In response, Oni asked for a short adjournment to get interpreters for some of the foreigners and remand the defendants in prison as the EFCC’s cell was congested.

Justice JK Omotoso consequently adjourned the matter to 6 September, 2017 for arraignment and hearing.

He ordered that the prosecution provide interpreters for the accused persons and remanded the defendants in Port Harcourt prison. (TV360 Nigeria)

Update news