Diplomat, Lawyer Arrested Over Oil Bunkering

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced investigation into the involvement of a lawyer, Desire Botoku, and a diplomat with the Benin Republic Embassy in Lagos, Sikirou Sule, in a massive oil bunkering deal worth about 1, 456 metric tons of premium motor spirit (petrol).

Some accused persons had already been charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos in respect of the deal, but investigation in respect of the involvement of the lawyer and the diplomat was said to have been informed by fresh facts, which linked the two men to the alleged crime.

The accused persons, who are standing trial before Justice Okon Abang, are Hepa Global Energy Limited, Adedamola Ogungbayi, Olaniran Olabode, Suraju Gasali, Moses Emmanuel, Wilson Bonsi, Padoun Kayode Jacob, Okparaodi Omaka Uche and Onyeogo Happy.

The vessel used in conveying the unauthorised petrol, MT Good Success, was also listed as the first accused in the criminal charge marked FHC/L/156c/14.

The EFCC had already closed its case before the court after presenting a total of eleven witnesses, while the witnesses of the accused persons are currently testifying in the matter.

Both Botoku and Sule were among the defence witnesses.

Sule was whisked away by EFCC operatives after testifying as defence witness. He was said to have since been granted administrative bail by the anti-graft agency.

The lawyer, on the other hand, has also been released after he was grilled for several hours by the EFCC operatives.