Subsidy Scam: More marketers to be arraigned

As the Lagos State High Court resumes from its annual vacation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will commence the arraignment of more directors of oil marketing and trading companies over the subsidy scam.

The courts had on July 16, 2012 gone on recess, necessitating the suspension of arraignment of more directors and their companies, irrespective of the ones earlier arraigned. An EFCC source said that the commission was putting the finishing touches to their case files for possible arraignment.

The EFCC had arraigned some directors and oil marketing companies before Justices Habeeb Abiru and Adeniyi Onigbanjo of the Ikeja High Court charging them with conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence, forgery and use of false documents. Those arraigned before Justice Abiru on four to nine-count charges were Abdulahi Alao, Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi, Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer, Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele and Ontario Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited. They were all however released on bail after meeting their bail conditions.

Also arraigned before Justice Onigbanjo in separate cases and were later released after meeting their bail conditions are Mahmud Tukur, son of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; Ochonogor Alex; Abdullahi Alao, son of a prominent businessman, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arikesola-Alao; and Eterna Oil and Gas Plc in the first case. Nasaman Oil Services; Mamman Nasir Ali, son of former PDP National Chairman, Dr. Ahmadu Ali; and Christian Taylor were also arraigned in the second case. Other marketers that were arraigned included Oluwaseun Ogunbambo, Habila Theck and Fargo Energy Limited.