The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Thursday arraigned the duo of Silas Ogbamebor and Innocent Akpan, before Justice Mohammed Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Warri on a 3- count charge bordering on conspiracy and illegal dealing in Petroleum Product. The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge.

One of the charges read; “that you Silas Ogbamebor and Innocent Akpan, on or about the 25th day of August 2012 at Okurode Urhobo Street in Warri, Delta State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: Dealing in Petroleum Product and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 3(6) and punishable under section 1(17) both of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17 of the Revised Edition (Law of the Federation of Nigeria) Act 2007”.

The accused persons were alleged to have attempted to induce an officer of the 3 Battalion, Nigeria Army, Warri to help release a truck with 7,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil to them by offering him N240, 000 as gratification.

Justice Mohammed Abubakar however granted the accused bail in the sum of Two Million Naira (N2, 000,000.00) and two sureties each. One of the sureties must be a civil servant within the jurisdiction of the court.

The case has been adjourned to May 3rd, 2013 and the accused remanded in prison custody.