Court jails nine oil thieves for 10 years in Akwa Ibom
*Court
Etim Ekpimah
The Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has sentenced nine men to 10 years in prison each for stealing crude oil within the state’s territorial waters.
Justice Joy Ikpeme handed down the sentences on Monday, 14 September 2026, after finding that the prosecution had proved its case against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.
The convicts were prosecuted by the Department of State Services following their arrest and subsequent handover to the agency by the Nigerian Navy on 7 February 2025.
They were arrested while allegedly siphoning crude oil from the ASABO-D oil wellhead in Ibeno Local Government Area of the state.
The convicts are Michael Mebawondu, Owei Godspower Mitin, Godspromise Amigoe, Opuowei Siarerebo, Gerekumo Panyan, Newyear Orimisan, Victor Ita, Egbayelo Innocent Oluwatomisin and Ayakimeze Alexander Amagbopere.
Justice Ikpeme sentenced each of them to 10 years’ imprisonment without an option of a fine.
The convictions form part of ongoing efforts to prosecute suspected oil thieves operating within Akwa Ibom’s maritime territory.
The state authorities said no fewer than 21 other suspected oil thieves are currently at various stages of prosecution for similar offences in the state.
