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Lubricant dealer, three others in prison custody for failure to perfect bail
A Lubricant dealer, Mr Wilfred Ogbudinkpa and three others were on Wednesday sent to prison custody for their failure to meet bail conditions set by Justice N.I. Afolabi of Federal High Court, Ilorin.
As at 1pm on Thursday, lawyers of the accused persons were at the court trying to perfect the bail conditions for their clients to go home.
The Accused person and three others were docked before the court for allegedly adulterating petroleum products.
Docked with Ogbudinkpa were Jesuwumi Oluwasegun, Azeez Taiwo and Ibrahim on a three count charge of criminal conspiracy, Adulteration and dealing without license.
They were accused of criminal conspiracy contrary to Section 4 of the Petroleum Act Cap 10, Law of the Federation 2004.
The charges against the accused persons were brought by Attorney General of the Federation.
The Attorney General was represented by the Legal Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Mr Abdulmajeed Imam.
They were also charge for Adulteration of petroleum products contrary to and punishable under Section 1, (18) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 Laws of the Federation.
The three accused persons were also accused of dealing in petroleum products with license contrary to and punishable under Section 1, (18) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 Laws of the Federation.
Upon conviction, count one of the charge carry three years in jail, count two carry 10 years while count three carry life jail.
When the charges were read to the accused persons, they all pleaded not guilty.
Counsel to the accused persons, Chief Kayode Olatoke (SAN), who led 34 other lawyers prayed the court to grant bail to his clients.
Counsel from the AG’s office, Imam opposed the application for bail as they may tamper with exhibits if granted bail.
In her ruling, Justice Afolabi granted bail to the three accused persons in the sum of N10m with two sureties each, saying that one of the sureties must be blood relation to the accused.
The judge also ruled that each of the sureties must provide certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and also sworn to affidavit of means of livelihood.
Justice Afolabi ordered that the accused persons should not tamper with the exhibits in the case.
She later adjourned the case to Jan 10, 2017 for mention.
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