Ten individuals have been handed prison sentences ranging from two to three years by a Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, for involvement in illicit petroleum activities.
The convicts, who were sentenced on Friday, November 6, 2026, by Justice H.A. Nganjiwa, include Obidi Peter Obi, James Terry, Gift Ezewu Godfrey, Anthony Onyebuchi Edekobi, Victor Ataria Sule, Jubril Abubakar, Auwal Aliyu, Nnaemeka Nwobodo, Victor Edem and Sunday Ndem Eyere.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed this in a statement published on its official X handle on Friday, saying the defendants pleaded guilty to charges of criminal conspiracy and illegal dealings in petroleum products.
The defendants were arraigned by the EFCC’s Benin Zonal Directorate on a one-count charge.
The charge against Victor Edem Udo alleged that he dealt in Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) “which is not of the quality expected of the product” at Koko, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, on August 8, 2026.
The offence was said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 1(18)(a)(ii) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Revised Edition) 2004.
Following their guilty pleas, the prosecution counsel, Francis Jirbo, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.
Justice Nganjiwa sentenced James Terry and Gift Ezewu Godfrey to two years’ imprisonment each, with an option of a N300,000 fine.
Obidi Peter Obi, Victor Ataria Sule, Jubril Abubakar, Auwal Aliyu, Nnaemeka Nwobodo and Victor Edem were each sentenced to three years’ imprisonment or a fine of N300,000.
Sunday Ndem Eyere was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment or a N400,000 fine, while Anthony Onyebuchi Edekobi received three years’ imprisonment or a N350,000 fine.
The EFCC said the prosecution followed the suspects’ arrest after intelligence from the Office of the National Security Adviser linked them to suspicious activities in Koko, Delta State.
According to the Commission, “the convicts’ road to the Correctional Centre began following their arrest based on intelligence from the Office of the National Security Adviser of their suspicious activities in Koko, Delta State.”
The Commission added that the suspects were subsequently prosecuted and convicted.
What You Should Know
A Federal High Court in Warri has convicted ten people on charges related to illegal petroleum products, handing down prison sentences between two and three years with options for fines. The crackdown stems from intelligence provided by the Office of the National Security Adviser, leading to arrests and subsequent prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
- Positive Impact: This conviction demonstrates ongoing regulatory enforcement against illegal bunkering and substandard petroleum products, which helps safeguard local energy markets and protect consumers from harmful fuel.
- Potential Concerns: The prevalence of illegal petroleum trade in regions like Koko highlights continued vulnerabilities in fuel distribution networks and the ongoing challenge of curbing illicit economic activities in the Niger Delta.
