By: AKEEB ALARAPE
Sunnewsonline — Mahmud Tukur, the son of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Dr. Bamanga Tukur, was among suspects charged with alleged fuel subsidy fraud in Lagos yesterday. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting. However, the absence of a co- suspect, Alex Ochonogor, forced Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja to adjourn the matter till noon today. Other suspects are Abdullahi Alao and Eterna Oil and Gas.
Also yesterday, the absence of another suspect, Walter Wagastsoma and the Attorney-General of the Federation/ Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN), also forced Justice Habeeb Abiru of Lagos High Court to adjourn sitting.
The trial of those indicted by the House of Representatives Ad Hoc committee that probed the fuel subsidy payments suffered a setback on Tuesday when judges’ vacation stalled its commencement. Nine oil companies – Nasaman Oil Services, Eterna Oil and Gas Plc, Ontario Oil and Gas Plc, Nadabo Energy Limited, Pacific Silver Lane Limited, Axenergy Limited, Fago Petroleum and Gas Limited, Integrated Resources Limited and Pinnacle Oil Gas were slated to appear before Justices Abiru and Onigbanjo on Tuesday and yesterday.
Also, individuals allegedly indicted in the probe report are Mamman Nasir Ali, Christian Taylor, Mahmud Tukur, Alex Ochchogor, Walter Wagbatsoma, Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi, Kauade B., Ebenezer, Ezekiel Oluleye Ejidele, Abubakar Ali Peters, Jude Agube Abalaka, Abdulahi Alao, Oluwasegun Ogunbanbo, Durosola Omogbenigan and Peter Mba. As at 10.30a.m, yesterday, four of the five oil marketers that were supposed to be arraigned before Justice Abiru were present while the first defendant, Wagastsoma, was absent.
Others on the charge sheet were Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi, Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer, Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele and Ontario Oil and Gas. Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, applied or an adjournment on the grounds that the Attorney-General, who had decided to lead the prosecution and Wagastsoma, the first defendant were not around.
“My Lord, the first defendant is not in court. It is important he appears in court for the matter to yield any result,” Jacobs said. Justice Onigbanjo could not also sit on the matter involving Tukur, Ochonogor, Alao and Eterna Oil and Gas. The judge after meeting with counsel in his chamber decided to adjourn till today. His decision, it was gathered, was premised on the absence of Ochonogor, one of the defendants.
The indicted marketers and their companies were charged with allegations bordering on conspiracy, forgery, obtaining under false pretence and use of false documents to collect various sums of money from the Federal Government under the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF).
Their arraignment came months after the probe of the House committee allegedly indicted them.
INDICTED OIL FIRMS
• Ontario Oil and Gas Plc
• Nadabo Energy Limited
• Fago Petroleum & Gas Ltd
• Axenergy Limited
• Ontario Oil and Gas Plc
• Pacific Silver Line Limited
• Nasaman Oil Services
•Integrated Resources Ltd
INDICTED PERSONS
• Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele
• Jude Agube Abalaka
• Peter Mba
• Ochonogor Alex
• Mamman Nasir Ali
• Christian Taylor
• Fakuade B. Ebenezer
• Durosola Omogbenigun
• Mahmud Tukur
• Abdullahi Alao
• Oluwasegun Ogunbanbo
• Abubakar Ali Peters
• Walter Wagbatsoma
• Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi
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