Guardian

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to prosecute the second batch of suspects in the fuel subsidy scam.

A top source at the commission who declined further details informed The Guardian yesterday that the case files of the suspects were ready.

When contacted, the Spokesman of the EFCC, Wilson Uwajaren, said the prosecution of the second batch of suspects “will commence soon.”

Besides, the EFCC said the petition against former Governor of Kogi State, Mohanmmed Idris was receiving attention. Though Uwajaren refused to make comments as to when the former governor would be interrogated, a source at the commission said that EFCC was “already looking into the matter.”

Some Kogi State indigenes led by former House of Representatives member, Dino Melaye, had filed a petition before the EFCC, accusing the former governor of being corrupt.

According to Uwajaren, the commission had promised to file the cases of the indicted persons in batches. He added that the cases which would begin soon had been on hold because of the break observed by judges in August.

The EFCC began the prosecution of suspects on the fuel subsidy in July with the arraignment of 20 out of 140. On Monday, it declared three more suspects wanted.

Those arraigned so far by the commission are Mamman Nasir Ali, Christian Taylor,  Mahmud Tukur,  Ochonogor Alex,  Walter Wagbatsoma,  Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi,  Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer,  Ezekiel Olaleye Ejidele,  Abubakar Ali Peters,  Jude Agube Abalaka,  Abdulahi Alao , Oluwaseun Ogunbanbo and Habila Threk.

The indicted companies are Nasaman Oil Services,  Eternal Oil and Gas Plc, Ontario Oil & Gas Plc, Nadabo Energy Limited, Pacific Silver Line Limited, Axenergy Limited and Fago Petroleum and Gas Limited.

According to EFCC, Nasaman Oil Services,  Mamman Nasir and Christian Taylor are facing charges bordering on obtaining N4.4 billion from the Federal Government under false pretence. The sum is alleged to have been fraudulently obtained as subsidy payments from the Petroleum Support Fund for the purported importation of 30.5million litres of Premium Motor Spirit from SEATAC Petroleum Limited of British Virgin Islands.

Abdulahi Alao and Axenergy Limited are being prosecuted for allegedly obtaining N2.6 billion being payments received from the Petroleum Support Fund for the purported importation of 33.3 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit.

Others include Mahmud Tukur,  Ochonogor Alex,  Abdulahi Alao and Eternal Oil and Gas Plc being prosecuted for fraudulently obtaining N1.8 billion from the Petroleum support Fund for a purported importation of 80.3million litres of Premium Motor Spirit.

Also, Nadabo Energy Limited, Abubakar Ali Peters, Jude Agube Abalaka and Pacific Silver Line Limited are being prosecuted for allegedly obtaining N1.4 billion as payments fraudulently received from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 19.4million litres of Premium Motor Spirit.

The commission also disclosed that Walter Wagbatsoma, Adaoha Ugo –Ngadi, Fakuade Babafemi Ebenezer,  Ezekiel   Olaleye Ejidele and Ontario Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited are being prosecuted for fraudulently obtaining N1.9 billion from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 39.2 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.

Fago Petroleum and Gas Limited and Oluwaseun Ogunbanbo were arraigned for fraudulently obtaining N979 million from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported importation of 33.6 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.