A Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, yesterday sentenced 16 persons to life imprisonment for adulterating about 100 tonnes of diesel. The vessel used was also forfeited to the Federal Government.
The case was instituted by the Bayelsa State Command of the Nigerian Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) along the Brass River as they were headed towards the sea in Bayelsa State on a vessel, MV ALEZZA LILAH. They were arrested on July 7, 2016.
In the charge sheet, suspects were accused of among others of conspiracy and adulteration which is contrary to sections 1 (17) and (18) (a) and (i) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap, M17 LFN 2004 and punishable under the sections.
Ruling in the matter, Justice Inyang Ekwo, said the 16 accused persons were convicted on the four count charge and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Their lawyer, Mr. Richard Oyiwona, said that he would appeal against the judgment.
