The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned a vessel, MT Ostria, and three individuals before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, Lagos, over an alleged ₦12 billion oil theft.
The defendants — Captain Raymundo A. Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin, both officials of the vessel, and Vincent Wayas, a staff of GMO, an inspectorate firm representing NNPC Retail Limited — were charged with conspiracy and stealing of over 13 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The EFCC accused the defendants of conspiring to steal 13,354,000 litres of PMS belonging to NNPC Retail Limited, offences contrary to Sections 411 and 280 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and punishable under Section 287 of the same law.
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One of the charges alleged that the defendants, sometime in January 2024, conspired to steal 13,354,000 litres of PMS, while another count stated that on January 17, 2024, they dishonestly took 9,000,000 litres of PMS, property of NNPC Retail Limited.
The anti-graft agency further alleged that the defendants also stole an additional 3,000,000 litres of PMS, bringing the total volume allegedly stolen to more than 13 million litres.
All defendants pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge.
Justice Dada ruled that the defendants should continue on the existing EFCC bail conditions and adjourned the case until Nov. 17 and 27, 2025, for the commencement of trial.
