Warri court jails 10 over illegal petroleum trade

Abimbola Joseph

A Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has convicted and sentenced 10 people to two to three years’ imprisonment for illegally dealing in petroleum products.

Justice H.A. Nganjiwa handed down the sentences on Friday, November 6, 2026, after the defendants pleaded guilty to charges of criminal conspiracy and illegal dealing in petroleum products brought against them by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The convicts are James Terry, Gift Ezewu Godfrey, Obidi Peter Obi, Anthony Onyebuchi Edekobi, Victor Ataria Sule, Jubril Abubakar, Auwal Aliyu, Nnaemeka Nwobodo, Victor Edem Udo and Sunday Ndem Eyere.

After their guilty pleas, prosecution counsel, Francis Jirbo, urged the court to convict and sentence them.

The judge sentenced James Terry and Gift Ezewu Godfrey to two years’ imprisonment each, with an option of a N300,000 fine.

Obidi Peter Obi, Victor Ataria Sule, Jubril Abubakar, Auwal Aliyu, Nnaemeka Nwobodo and Victor Edem Udo each received three years’ imprisonment, with an option of a N300,000 fine.

Sunday Ndem Eyere was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, with an option of a N400,000 fine, while Anthony Onyebuchi Edekobi received three years’ imprisonment, with an option of a N350,000 fine.

The EFCC said the defendants were arrested following intelligence from the Office of the National Security Adviser about their suspicious activities in Koko, Delta State.

One of the charges alleged that Victor Edem Udo dealt in Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, which did not meet the required quality standards.

The offence was said to have occurred on August 8, 2026, in Koko, Warri North Local Government Area, and was punishable under Section 1(18)(a)(ii) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

The defendants were subsequently prosecuted and convicted.