Justice Ibrahim Buba sitting at the Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed a no case submission filed by two businessmen- Elder Christopher Andrew Isibor and David Akhigbe, standing trial over alleged unlawful dealing in petroleum product.
The duo who are being prosecuted by the EFCC on a four count-charges bordering on conspiracy, unlawful exportation of petroleum product, and keeping custody of funds that were proceed of crime, were ordered to open their defence.
In the third amended charge marked FHC/L/385c/14, EFCC alleged that the two businessmen and a company, Earth Petroleum Development Limited, had between July 2012 and April 2013, conspired among themselves to commit felony by dealing in petroleum products without lawful authority, by exporting 1,675 metric tonnes of Low Pour Fuel Oil, using MT SOI Lueshing.
EFCC also alleged that Isibor and his company, Earth Petroleum Development Limited, between April 18 and 19, 2013, took possession of N28.890 million, paid by Bankano Hamani Hamadu Ventures, into a Zenith Bank Account number 1011616095, the fund which is said to be for exportation of petroleum product without.
While the anti-graft agency also accused Akhigbe of retaining the sum of N2 million, paid by Earth Petroleum Development Limited, in his First Bank Account with number 3042901464, when knowing that the said money was a proceed of unlawful act, and for exporting petroleum product without lawful authority.
The matter has been adjourned to June 11 and 12, for defendants to open their defence.
