Army destroys 20 illegal oil refinery sites

The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, says its troops have dismantled 20 illegal refining sites, deactivated 21 boats used for the crime and recover over 90,000 litres of stolen petroleum products in the ongoing anti bunkering operations in the Niger Delta region.

A statement issued in Port Harcourt at the weekend by the Division’s Deputy Director of Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, said eight suspects were arrested in the operations carried out from 23-29 December 2024.

Lt. Col. Jonah said following a tip-off on illegal activities around Buguma general area in Asari-Toru LGA, troops responded effectively leading to the discovery of a massive tarpaulin storage reservoir and a wooden boat with over 37,000 litres of stolen condensates.

“At Ogajiama axis of Buguma/Bakana general area, also in Asari-Toru LGA, troops had gun duel with the criminal elements, who fled due to superior firepower. Also, an illegal refining site, one big pot and a receiver containing 9,000 litres of illegally refined Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) were handled appropriately.

“This was in addition to three locally made boats intercepted in the area in the process of loading crude from an abandoned wellhead. Three suspected oil thieves were arrested during the operations.

READ ALSO:

• Man City beat Leicester 2-0 as Haaland ends goal drought
• Lagos heads to Supreme Court over Olaleye’s sexual assault acquittal
• Nigerian govt urged to intervene in Mozambique post-election violence

“Relatedly, around Krakrama Community in Degema LGA, two illegal refining sites, four fibre and three wooden boats were intercepted respectively as well as about 2,000 litres of stolen crude handled. At Gbede in Omoku, one illegal refining site, 27 locally made ovens, 31 sacks loaded with over 2,000 litres of stolen products were confiscated.

“While at Odagwa-Imo Riverside in Etche LGA, one illegal refining site, two drum pots, a wooden boat and over 3,500 litres of stolen products were recovered. Similarly, at the fringes of Imo River, seven illegal refining sites, six boats, 122 drum pots, 49 drum receivers and over 10,000 litres of stolen products were recovered.

“In Bayelsa State, at Biseni Forest in Yenagoa LGA, one illegal refining site was dismantled with about 8,000 litres of stolen fuel confiscated. Troops also uncovered an attempt at vandalising one of the inactive Shell Petroleum Development Company’s flowlines at Well 20 by unknown persons at Opukushi general area in Ekeremor LGA.

“While in Akwa Ibom State, troops intercepted eleven 280-litre drums loaded with about 3,080 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at Enwang II in Mbo LGA.

“In a follow up operations conducted, troops discovered the source of the product, which was traced to a loading point at Dazele Filling Station, Ibaka. Additional 31 drums of PMS estimated at 8,680 litres were intercepted. Preliminary investigation revealed that the products were primed for smuggling to a neighbouring country.

“In Delta State, various kinetic and non kinetic lines of operations were conducted . These operations have effectively denied criminal elements freedom of action in the area, the statement pointed out.”

The statement added that the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam charged troops to continue to maintain vigilance in the Joint Operations Area in order to create an enabling environment for exploration activities to thrive in the region.

Army destroys 20 illegal oil refinery sites

Lagos heads to Supreme Court over Olaleye’s sexual assault acquittal

The Lagos State Government has headed to the Supreme Court to challenge the acquittal of defilement charges against Dr. Olufemi Olaleye.

Dr. Olaleye, the medical director of the Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, has been accused of defiling his wife’s 16-year-old niece.

He was initially sentenced to life in prison by the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in October 2023.

However, on November 29, 2024, the Court of Appeal in Lagos overturned Dr. Olaleye’s conviction due to contradictions in the prosecution’s evidence.

The appeals court determined that the trial court erred in convicting Dr. Olaleye based on “tainted” and “unreliable” evidence from his estranged wife and the putative survivor.

In response to this finding, civil society organisations pressed the state administration to appeal the decision.

They petitioned Lawal Pedro (SAN), the Lagos State Attorney General, urging the government to appeal the judgement to the Supreme Court in order to restore public trust in the legal system.

READ ALSO:

• Nigerian govt urged to intervene in Mozambique post-election violence
• Ex-minister says Nigeria doesn’t need France to destabilise Niger Republic
• Nottingham Forest rise to second after 2-0 win at Everton

On December 12, 2024, the commissioner for justice told reporters at a press briefing that the case file was already on his desk and that the ministry would evaluate the appellate court’s decision.

When asked if he planned to appeal the judgement, Pedro stated that he had 90 days to do so. Dissatisfied with the appeals court’s judgement, the Lagos State Government argued that the acquittal was unjust.

The administration is now attempting to overturn the appellate court’s ruling before the Supreme Court.

The Lagos State Government filed an appeal on December 27, 2024, attempting to revoke Olaleye’s acquittal by the Court of Appeal.

The state government’s grounds for appeal include the claim that the appellate court erred in disregarding Section 209(2) of the Evidence Act of 2011 and the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dagaya v. State (2006).

The state maintained that sworn testimony of a kid over the age of fourteen (14) needed corroboration, as provided by Section 209(3) of the testimony Act of 2011, which requires corroboration of evidence of a child under 14 in order to gain a conviction.

The state further claimed that the Justices of the Court of Appeals erred in law when they ruled that exhibits H, H1, and H2 were incorrectly allowed and relied on by the trial court since trial within trial was not conducted for their admissibility.

“The factors guiding the admissibility of confessional statements are well laid down in Sections 28 and 29 of the Evidence Act 2011, and objections to such admissibility must be raised at the time the statement is sought to be tendered, not after it has been admitted without objection.”

Lagos heads to Supreme Court over Olaleye’s sexual assault acquittal

Nigerian govt urged to intervene in Mozambique post-election violence

Akinola Olunloyo, a Nigerian in Mozambique, has appealed to the Nigerian government to intervene in Mozambique’s political crisis following the confirmation of the ruling party’s victory in the October 9 elections.

He urged President Bola Tinubu to use his influence within the African Union to mobilise efforts to restore peace and stability in Mozambique.

In an interview with journalists on Sunday, Mr Olunloyo said the political unrest was fuelled by the actions of the opposition party, Podemos, through its candidate, Venâncio Mondlane.

Mozambique’s Frelimo has been the ruling party since 1975, when the country gained independence from Portugal.

READ ALSO:

• Ex-minister says Nigeria doesn’t need France to destabilise Niger Republic
• Nottingham Forest rise to second after 2-0 win at Everton
• Salah strikes as Liverpool hammer West Ham 5-0

Mr Olunloyo, a businessman and resident of Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, for over 13 years, said many Nigerians were stranded with no means of escape.

“The incitement of violence by Podemos and its key figure, Venâncio Mondlane, has escalated tensions resulting in the loss of lives, destruction of businesses, and targeted attacks on foreign nationals, including Nigerians.

“These actions are not only causing untold suffering to Mozambicans but also putting the lives of Nigerians in jeopardy.

“Immediate intervention is critical to prevent further loss of life and to secure the safety of Nigerians in Mozambique,” he said.

He noted that the attack on foreigners and their businesses was because of the belief that the government benefited from foreigners.

Mr Olunloyo urged the presidency to take actions, including evacuation of Nigerians, to ensure their safety and diplomatic engagement with the Mozambican government to demand the protection of Nigerians and press for immediate de-escalation of violence.

He called on regional bodies and the African Union to demand accountability from Podemos and Mondlane for their role in inciting violence and destabilising the country.

Nigerian govt urged to intervene in Mozambique post-election violence

(NAN)