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The police on Wednesday arraigned two Indians  and three Nigerians in the Federal High Court, Abuja, for damaging an NNPC pipeline in Okene, Kogi.

The Indians, Kamal Sharma, 32, and Ashok Agarwal, 66, were charged with dealing in petroleum products without appropriate authority or licence.

The charge stated that Sharma and Agarwal conspired with the three Nigerians and others at large on Jan.15 to commit felony.

It added that the Indians committed an offence punishable under the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

The three Nigerian accused,  Fatai Afolabi, Emmanuel Igboke and Tukur Mohammed, are also standing trial for damaging the oil pipeline.

The Prosecution counsel, Mr Friday Ibadi, said that the three committed an offence punishable under the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

The prosecution  noted that Afolabi, Igbokwe and Mohammed, through their illegal act on Jan.15, interfered with the free flow of petroleum products from the oil pipeline in Okene and, therefore, committed an offence.

The other defendant, Prism Steel Mill Ltd, managed by Sharma and Agarwal, was used to warehouse the stolen petroleum product, the prosecution  added.

However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge.

Mr Lawal Rabana (SAN), counsel to Sharma, Agarwal and Prism Steel Ltd, urged the court to release his clients on bail.

Rabana pleaded: ``My lord, I am seeking your discretion in an application for the bail of these people on health grounds.

``My lord, the prosecutor is aware of the fact that Agarwal is 66 years old and has a terminal ailment that requires regular management.

``In fact, the offence for which my clients are charged with is not felony because they did not participate in the alleged damaging of the NNPC pipeline in Okene.

``Sharma and Agarwal do legitimate business in the country with their company, Prism Steel Mill Ltd, and they shall not jump bail if given.''

Mr Daniel Alumun, the counsel to the other accused, urged the court to grant his clients bail as well, adding that ``Section 35 of the Constitution guarantees their liberty.’’

He said the accused were assumed innocent till it was proved otherwise.

The prosecutor, however, opposed the bail application, saying that the offence for which they were charged was severe.

``The law, under which the accused applicants are charged with stipulates life imprisonment as punishment for act of economic sabotage,’’ Ibadi said.

The Judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, reserved Feb. 25 for ruling and ordered that the accused be remanded in prison.

Gunmen, who abducted six foreigners off the Bayelsa coastline, on Wednesday demanded for a ransom of N200 million for their freedom.

A Russian, three Ukrainians and two Indian sailors were abducted on Sunday when their vessel was attacked off the coastline.

The Police Public Relations Officer of Bayelsa Command, Mr Fidelis Odunna, confirmed the development in a telephone interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa.

Odunna said that the Police Anti Kidnapping Squad was already trailing the suspects to secure the victims' freedom.

“We have already dispatched our men to track down the kidnappers.

``Contact has been established with them and they are asking for N200 million,” he said.

NAN recalls that Gov. Seriake Dickson recently signed into Law a bill prescribing death penalty for Kidnapping in Bayelsa

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Three persons, including two bankers, were on Wednesday docked before a Yaba Magistrates’ Court for alleged forgery and theft of N1.5million.

The accused: Kelechi Amechi, 35, Rita Kpaakpa, 29 and Lawrence Amechi,42, are each facing a three-count charge of conspiracy to steal, stealing and forgery.

The accused persons, who reside at No. 32 Kunle Ajayi St., Ketu, and No. 21a, Fakunle St.,Ogba, respectively pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Police prosecutor, ASP. Ade Adeola said the offence was committed on Nov. 4. and 14, 2011 within the premises of the FBN micro finance bank, Ogba branch.

He said Rita Kpaakpa and Kelechi Amadi, who were at the time, employees of the bank, conspired to obtain the sum of N1.5million from one Mr Omotayo Afolabi, under the pretext facilitating his transactions.

He said the duo, on the same date forged the signature of one Mr Vincent Akabueze, on a guarantors form for a loan request of one Nosiru Bamidele.

``The accused obtained the total sum of N1.5millon, from one Mr Omotayo Afolabi, under the pretext of securing the money as a processing fee.

“They also filled a guarantors' form on behalf of one Nosiru Bamidele and unlawfully used Mr Vincent Akabueze as the guarantor and forged his signature for a the loan request", Adeola said.

The prosecutor said that Amadi and Kpaapka on Nov. 14 2011, again allegedly forged the signature of one Mr Femi Awoyinka on another guarantor's form for a loan request of Lawrence Amechi.

Adeola said the offences contravened the provisions of sections 285, 363 and 409 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

Magistrate P.A Ojo granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 each and two sureties each in like sum.

She adjourned the case to March. 8 for further hearing. (NAN)

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