The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned 26 suspected illegal oil dealers and three vessels before Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

The first charge involves six suspects and a vessel namely MT Jonko.

The suspects include Umoh Clement, Moses Ogbodu, Ignatius Okereke, Valentine Amaegberi, Victor Egbowon, and Emmanuel Bassey.

Others are Ademola Olasode, Sule Anyebe, Oyelami Oloyede, Otuagoma Emmanuel, and Anthony Orhieoghenebruru.

They allegedly conspired on December 21, 2019, to deal in 450 metric tonnes of petroleum products without the appropriate licence.

The EFCC said the offence was contrary to Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section 1(17) of the same Act.

At their arraignment on Wednesday, the suspects pleaded not guilty while the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, asked the court for a trial date.

He also urged the court to remand the defendants in the Nigerian Correctional Services (NSC).

Justice Aikawa granted the requests and adjourned the case until March 17 for the commencement of trial and hearing of the bail application.

Similarly, the anti-graft agency arraigned another set of 15 suspects and two vessels before Justice Aikawa for dealing in petroleum products without the appropriate licence.

The suspects include MV Ekpere Amaka (vessel), Eliaja Agoso, Assayomo Julius, Godwin Ajimosun, Jerome Nwaobi, Ukpe Wisdom, Bayonle-Jude Olawunmi, Vincent Antai, and John Zola.

Others are MT Zeebrugge (vessel), Kapilarathana A.J, Yapa, Ramanayaka Maithripala, Labunu Silva, Shashika Palipana, Amarasinge Chaml, Kariyawasan Wijewardbana, and Joseph Fernando.

Amongst other things, the EFCC said they allegedly conspired to deal in 85 metric tonnes of petroleum products without the appropriate license, an offence for which they also pleaded “not guilty”.

Justice Aikawa also ordered the remand of the suspects and adjourned the case until March 16 for the commencement of trial and hearing of the bail applications.