29th November, 2012
Six accused persons including a 60-year old community leader alleged to have masterminded the killing of three NNPC officials trying to repair vandalised oil pipeline at Arepo, Ogun State, were this morning arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos.
The two prosecuting police officers, ACP Friday Ibadin with ASP Justin Enang in a seven-count criminal charge number FHC/L/366c/12, alleged that the six accused persons, in Inerepamu Ijebu Joel, 25; John Aye Isaiah, 28; Ineye Okposa, 40; Jimi Gunugunu, 22; Saheed Olisa Mudasiru, 25 and the community leader, Oluwole Posibi Reuben, 60 on 5 September, 2012 at Arepo near Ikorodu, Lagos State, conspired to commit felony, to wit, tampering with oil pipeline. It was further alleged that the accused persons and others now at large on the same date, time and place maliciously damaged NNPC pipeline for the transportation of refined oil without lawful authority or appropriate licence.
They were also accused of the unlawful killing of Engineer O.A.U Agbaku, Ernest Ngene and Ikechukwu Ikenem by shooting them with pump action gun.
The prosecuting counsel stated that the offence allegedly committed by the six accused persons are contrary to and punishable under Section 3 (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap. N17, Laws of the Federation, 2004. The offences are punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap.C. 38, Laws of the Federation, 2012.
After their arraignment, the prosecuting counsel, ACP Ibadin asked the court for adjournment to allow the accused persons get in touch with their counsel since they had no legal representation.
The presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, granted the request and adjourned till 18 December, 2012. He ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody until the next adjourned date.
—Akin Kuponiyi