Ten Men Sentenced for Illegal Oil Trade in Delta

Ten men in Warri, Delta State, have been found guilty and sentenced to jail for illegally dealing in petroleum products.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission shared a statement on its X account on Friday. Justice H. A. Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court in Warri gave the sentences.

The convicts are James Terry, Gift Godfrey, Obidi Obi, Anthony Edekobi and Victor Sule.

The others include Jubril Abubakar, Auwal Aliyu, Nnaemeka Nwobodo, Victor Edem and Sunday Eyere.

They faced a one-count charge of criminal conspiracy and illegal dealing in petroleum products. This charge was brought by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC.

The statement said, “The charge against Victor Edem Udo reads, ‘That you, Victor Edem Udo (m), on or about the 8th day of August 2026, at Koko, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did deal in petroleum products, Automotive Gas Oil, which is not of the quality expected of the product and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1(18)(a)(ii) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap. M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Revised Edition), 2004.’

“When they were arraigned, all the defendants admitted their guilt. This made the prosecution counsel, Francis Jirbo, ask the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

“Justice Nganjiwa sentenced James Terry and Gift Ezewu Godfrey to two years in prison or a fine of N300,000. Obidi Peter Obi, Victor Ataria Sule, Jubril Abubakar, Auwal Aliyu, Nnaemeka Nwobodo and Victor Edem each got three years in prison or a fine of N300,000 each.”

According to the EFCC, Eyere received three years in prison or a fine of N400,000, while Edekobi was sentenced to three years or a fine of N350,000.

“The journey to the correctional centre for the convicts started after their arrest. This was based on information from the Office of the National Security Adviser about their suspicious activities in Koko, Delta State. They were then prosecuted and convicted,” the statement added.

Under the Miscellaneous Offences Act, dealing in substandard or adulterated petroleum products is a crime. This can lead to prosecution by agencies like the EFCC and result in imprisonment or fines.