The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned three suspects and a vessel for allegedly stealing over 25 million litres of petrol belonging to NNPC Retail Limited.
Gatekeepers Newsreports that the defendants — Captain Raymundo Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin, and Vincent Wayas — were brought before the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.
According to the EFCC, the accused persons “dishonestly took nine million litres of petrol and another 3,000,000 litres of the same product,” all property of NNPC Retail Limited.
“MT Ostria, Captain Raymundo A. Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin, and Mr. Vincent Wayas, sometime in January 2024 in Lagos, conspired amongst themselves to commit felony, to wit: stealing of 13,354,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), property of NNPC Retail Limited,” part of the charge reads.
After the suspects pleaded not guilty, Bilikisu Buhari, counsel to the EFCC, urged the court to remand them, arguing that the defendants had “nothing to lose if they jump bail or abscond.”
However, defence counsel requested that the defendants be allowed to remain on the administrative bail earlier granted by the EFCC.
Justice Mojisola Dada granted the request and ordered that the defendants continue on the existing bail conditions.
The case was adjourned to November 17 and 27 for the commencement of trial.
