The Federal High court sitting in Port Harcourt has remanded 10 foreign nationals alleged to have been involved in alleged Oil theft from Akpo oil field in Bonny on board Mt Heroic Idun.
It would be recalled that 16 of the foreign nationals were also arraigned and remanded earlier on three count charge of conspiracy, forceful presence to become victims of maritime offence in other to resist arrest by Navy ship Gongola and attempt to deal in crude oil theft without lawful authority.
The 10 foreign nationals however, pleaded not guilty to same count charge as the other 16 were arraigned.
It was reported that about twenty-six were on board the vessel and all have now been arraigned before the court.
The Presiding Judge, Justice Turaki Muhammed after listening to the counsel ruled that all 26 defendants be remanded on board vessel and adjourned to the case to 10th and 11th of January, 2023 for hearing.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC, Rivers State Command has paraded five trucks used for oil bunkering alongside one suspect.
The Commandant NSCDC Rivers Command, Michael Ogar who paraded the exhibits in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, told Journalists that the Command has charged thirty-five cases to court and secured seventeen convictions and some forfeiture in the last one month.
Three of the trucks were confiscated by joint operations involving, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Nigerian Navy, Army Air Force and Department of State Services, DSS, at different locations in Rivers State.
The Rivers State Commandant NSCDC, Michael Ogar explained that it took meticulous observation of men of anti-Vandal unit of the command to identify the trick of one of the trucks owners that constructed a big tank inside the truck but covered it with bags of feed to escape arrest.
Mr. Ogar, who said that NSCDC has made significant progress in the fight against oil theft in the State, noted that many suspects have been charged to court with convictions and forfeiture to the Federal government.
The NSCDC Rivers State boss, who expressed joy over the result achieved so far, revealed that some officers were deployed to be part of Tompolo operations in Bayelsa state.
Commandant Michael Ogar, who warned vandals to desist from their act or be dealt with, however decried insufficient gun boats to be able to take the battle to the vandals in the creeks.
SOURCE: Independent