Vanguard: 6 facing trial in Bayelsa for operating illegal refinery; Read now.

 

YENAGOA—A Federal High Court in Yenagoa, yesterday, remanded six persons in prison custody over alleged operation of an illegal refinery in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The accused, all males, Convention Jaham, 38; Abombi Jaham, 39; Mike Azikiwe, 45; Okoye Morris, 38; Ebikemie Perekpohehei, 32, and Promise John, 2, are standing trial on a two-count charge of constructing and operating an illegal refinery.



The accused persons were, on May 26, arrested by men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, at Ebelebiri-Agba community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State while allegedly operating the illegal refinery. Prosecution counsel, K. C. Nwachukwu, said the crime was contrary to Section 3 (1) of the Petroleum Act, CAP, P10, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 1 (17) of Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP, M17, LFN, 2004. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges, but the trial judge, Justice Aliya Nganjiwa, ordered the accused persons remanded in prison custody and adjourned the matter to July 18 for hearing on bail application.