A Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has sentenced nine men to 10 years imprisonment each for oil theft…
A Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has sentenced nine men to 10 years imprisonment each for oil theft.
The convicts were prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS), Akwa Ibom State Command, after they were arrested during an intelligence-led operation by the Nigerian Navy on February 7, 2025.
They were apprehended while allegedly siphoning crude oil from the ASABO-D oil well head in Ibeno Local Government Area of the state.
The convicts are Michael Mebawondu, Owei Godspower Mitin, Godspromise Amigoe, Opuowei Siarerebo, Gerekumo Panyan, Newyear Orimisan, Victor Ita, Egbayelo Innocent Oluwatomisin and Ayakimeze Alexander Amagbopere.
Delivering judgment, Justice Joy Ikpeme held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge consequently sentenced each of the nine men to 10 years in prison without an option of fine.
The convictions come amid intensified multi-agency efforts to tackle oil theft and other forms of crude oil criminality in the Niger Delta.
The DSS said at least 21 other suspected oil thieves are currently undergoing various stages of prosecution in Akwa Ibom State.
