19 Suspected Crude Oil Thieves Arraigned in Akwa Ibom

Nineteen suspected crude oil thieves are facing trial in Akwa Ibom State after two additional suspects were arraigned by the Department of State Services, DSS. The suspects, Arepade Dominic Ekprese and Benson Ekiokekeme Innocent, were brought before a Magistrate’s Court in Uyo.

The court declined jurisdiction due to the severity of the alleged offence and relevant provisions of the Constitution. Instead, it ordered that the suspects be remanded at the Uyo Medium Correctional Facility for 21 days.

The DSS had sought the remand order because the Federal High Court in Uyo, which has jurisdiction over the case, is currently on recess. The court will resume in September, and the suspects are expected to face trial then.

The case dates back to April 9, when a joint operation by Operation Delta Safe led to the arrest of 26 crew members and the seizure of two motorized tankers, MT Westaf and MT Mkpodu. The vessels were allegedly siphoning crude oil from a platform operated by a major oil company off the coast of Akwa Ibom.

The arrests are part of ongoing intelligence-led operations across the Niger Delta aimed at tackling crude oil theft and increasing Nigeria’s oil production and foreign exchange earnings.