Court fixes January 24 for Arepo pipeline vandalism suspects

Six persons have been charged with the vandalism of oil pipelines in Arepo, Ogun State

A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Tuesday, ordered the continued remand at the Ikoyi Prisons of six persons charged with vandalism of oil pipeline in Arepo, Ogun.

Those charged are Joel Inerepamu (25), Rueben Oluwole (60), John Isaiah (28), Ineye Okposa (40), Timi Gunugunu (22), and Olisa Saheed (25).

Justice Mohammed Idris gave the order at the resumed hearing of the case and fixed January 24 and January 25 for the commencement of the trial.

Mr. Idris’ action followed an application for adjournment by Emma Enang, a prosecution counsel on behalf of the lead counsel, Toyin Ibadin, who was said to be in Abuja on another official assignment.

The defendants had been ordered to be remanded in prison on November 29, after their arraignment on charges bordering on oil pipeline vandalism and murder.

The men are facing a seven-count charge bordering on vandalism of an oil pipeline and the murder of three engineers with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

During their arraignment, the prosecutor told the court that the accused, on September 5, at about 6:00 p.m., at Arepo, Ogun, conspired to vandalise an NNPC oil pipeline located in the vicinity.

He alleged that the accused had vandalised the pipeline and scooped out large quantities of petroleum products for illegal sale.

Mr. Ibadin also informed the court that on sighting NNPC engineers assigned to maintain pipelines in the area, the accused opened fire on them.

He alleged that the engineers were shot dead by the accused.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened sections 3(6), 7(a), 7(b), and 17(a) of the Miscellaneous Offence Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

He had said that the offence of murder also contravened Section 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap C 38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.

NAN