By Georgina George
The Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has convicted and sentenced 10 persons for illegal dealing in petroleum products.
Justice H.A. Nganjiwa handed down the sentences on Friday, November 6, 2026, after the defendants pleaded guilty to a one-count charge 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 and Sunday Ndem Eyere.
The charge against Victor Edem Udo alleged that he dealt in petroleum products, specifically Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), which was not of the expected quality, at Koko, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, on August 8, 2026. The offence is punishable under Section 1(18)(a)(ii) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Following their guilty pleas, prosecution counsel, Francis Jirbo, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.
Justice Nganjiwa 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 received three-year jail terms each, with an option of a N300,000 fine.
Sunday Ndem Eyere was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment or a N400,000 fine, while Anthony Onyebuchi Edekobi received three years’ imprisonment or 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. They were subsequently prosecuted and convicted.
