By Benson Daniel
A Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has sentenced nine men to 10 years in prison each for crude oil theft.
The convicts were arrested during an intelligence-led operation conducted by the Nigerian Navy on February 7, 2025, after they were allegedly caught siphoning crude oil from the ASABO-D oil wellhead in Ibeno Local Government Area of the state.
The men were prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS), Akwa Ibom State Command, following their arrest and subsequent investigation.
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 established its case against the nine men beyond reasonable doubt.
The court subsequently sentenced each of them to 10 years’ imprisonment without an option of fine.
The convictions represent another significant development in the ongoing efforts by security agencies and the judiciary to tackle crude oil theft, which continues to pose a major challenge to Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
Oil theft has been linked to losses in government revenue, damage to petroleum infrastructure and environmental degradation in oil-producing communities. Authorities have intensified operations against illegal oil bunkering and the theft of crude from pipelines and oil facilities.
The case also highlights the increasing use of joint operations involving security agencies to identify and disrupt suspected oil theft networks in the Niger Delta.
According to the prosecution, 21 other suspected oil thieves are currently at various stages of prosecution for similar offences in Akwa Ibom State.
The latest convictions are expected to reinforce the government’s position that individuals involved in crude oil theft will face criminal prosecution and imprisonment when found guilty.
For the petroleum sector, sustained enforcement remains critical to protecting production, improving government revenue and safeguarding oil-producing communities from the environmental consequences associated with illegal crude oil activities.
Leave a comment