2 NNPC agents, pipeline vandal docked for alleged conspiracy
(Nigeria) Two security agents of the Nigerian
National Petroleum Company, NNPC, are standing trial before a Federal High
Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State over an alleged conspiracy with oil pipeline vandals.
The two suspects are Adeoye Ojeniran, a security contractor with the
responsibility of providing guards to secure NNPC Right of Ways and
Oludele Akande, one of such security guards.
The accused persons are charged along with Moses Ogunwale, a suspected vandal arrested at the scene of the crime.
The prosecutor, Mr Matthew Ojeah, alleged that the trio conspired and attempted to damage NNPC oil pipelines at Ajawa, near Ogbomosho, Oyo State on Dec.11, 2009.
Ojeah alleged that the acts of conspiracy and attempted damage to the pipelines violated the Miscellaneous Offences Act of the Federation 2004.
In opening the case, Ojeah invited Insp Owoyele Ojutunwase of the Anti-pipeline Vandalism Unit of the police force as a prosecuting witness.
Ojutunwase told the court that while Ogunwale was arrested at the scene of the crime, Ojeniran and Akande were arrested for not informing appropriate authorities, in spite of their of the crime beforehand.
"Akande received a call that vandals would be visiting the place and informed Ojeniran, yet they did not inform the police or other security agencies.
"They are being charged with conspiracy for failing to report the intended crime,” he said.
Cross examining the witness, the defence counsel, Mr Abiodun Ogunjimi, queried the alleged conspiracy charge.
He put it to the witness that all he (witness) said in court were false and that the three accused persons did not know about the crime.
"I put it to you that all you have said is not in your written statement and apart from that, Ogunwale was only passing by when you arrested him," he said.
Justice Abimbola Obaseki-Adejumo adjourned the trial to June 11, for the prosecutor to call more witnesses.
The accused persons had earlier been granted bail.
The accused persons are charged along with Moses Ogunwale, a suspected vandal arrested at the scene of the crime.
The prosecutor, Mr Matthew Ojeah, alleged that the trio conspired and attempted to damage NNPC oil pipelines at Ajawa, near Ogbomosho, Oyo State on Dec.11, 2009.
Ojeah alleged that the acts of conspiracy and attempted damage to the pipelines violated the Miscellaneous Offences Act of the Federation 2004.
In opening the case, Ojeah invited Insp Owoyele Ojutunwase of the Anti-pipeline Vandalism Unit of the police force as a prosecuting witness.
Ojutunwase told the court that while Ogunwale was arrested at the scene of the crime, Ojeniran and Akande were arrested for not informing appropriate authorities, in spite of their of the crime beforehand.
"Akande received a call that vandals would be visiting the place and informed Ojeniran, yet they did not inform the police or other security agencies.
"They are being charged with conspiracy for failing to report the intended crime,” he said.
Cross examining the witness, the defence counsel, Mr Abiodun Ogunjimi, queried the alleged conspiracy charge.
He put it to the witness that all he (witness) said in court were false and that the three accused persons did not know about the crime.
"I put it to you that all you have said is not in your written statement and apart from that, Ogunwale was only passing by when you arrested him," he said.
Justice Abimbola Obaseki-Adejumo adjourned the trial to June 11, for the prosecutor to call more witnesses.
The accused persons had earlier been granted bail.
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