A Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State has jailed 11 persons for oil theft.

Justice M.S. Abubakar found the convicts guilty of the two-count of illegal dealing in petroleum products preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC].

The convicts are Ephraim Akpan, Agadagba Ochuko, Clement Tommy, Oyayefa Abonne, Bousou Kereotu, Dereye Harry, Lucky Abonne, Dapo Obdare, Friday Ibude, Ebi Ekokeme, and Vincent Elayegha.

The convicts and their vessel, MT Petroitti, were arrested on May 23, 2014 by officers of the Nigerian Navy around Ofoma oil terminal in Delta with about 272 metric tons of substance suspected to be crude oil. They were then handed over to the EFCC.

They were first arraigned on March 4, 2015 and pleaded “not guilty” to the charges prompting the case to go into full trial.

In his ruling, Justice Abubakar sentenced them each to three years in prison on count one, with an option of  N200,000 fine each.

The vessel, MT Petroitti was also found guilty on count two and sentenced to a fine of N500,000. The trial judge further ordered its forfeiture and the cargo on board (about 272 metric tons of crude oil) to the Federal Government.