The Chairman, Onelga Oil and Gas Well Heads Landlord Families of Rivers State, Chikobi Alali was on Wednesday arraigned at a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt by the Economic and Financial Crimes commission, EFCC, on a 16 count- charge bordering on conspiracy and tampering with oil pipelines.
Alali, a community leader overseeing the activities of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company in his neighbourhood, was arrested by men and officers of Operation Delta Safe on 18 March, 2017 in Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State for tampering with oil pipelines’ well heads and disruption of crude oil flow. He was transferred to the EFCC for further investigations and prosecution.
In the course of investigations, he admitted to have conspired with others now at large to tamper with oil pipeline, well heads operated by NAOC at different times and locations namely; Idu and Mbede both in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Rivers State. Also, Alale allegedly admitted to the offence in protest against the alleged failure of NAOC in meeting its corporate responsibilities to its host communities. By his actions, the Federal Government reportedly lost sizeable revenue owing to 35,904 barrels of crude oil lost in three local government areas.
He pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.
Count one of the charge read: that you Chikobi Alali and others now at large between February and March, 2017 at Idu, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire with yourselves to commit felony to wit: Tampering with Oil pipeline(Well Heads) thereby interferes with or obstructs the free flow of Crude oil and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17 of the Revised Edition ( Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Act 2007 and punishable under Section 1(7) of the same Act.
Another count charge read: Chikobi Alali and others now at large between February and March, 2017 at Idu, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did interfere with or obstruct the free flow of crude oil by shutting-in crude oil Well Heads Operated by Nigerian Agip Oil Company Ltd in Idu leading to cumulative oil lose of about 18,928 barrels worth about $946,400(U.S Dollars) at $50 per barrel and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(7)(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17 of the Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria) Act 2007 and punishable under Section 1(7) of the same Act.
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, N.Orji applied for a date for the commencement of trial but the defense counsel, F. A. Oguche informed the court that he had filed an application for bail before the court. However, the application was opposed by the Prosecution counsel.
Justice Omotosho granted the defendant bail in the sum of One Million Naira only (N1,000,000) and a surety in like sum. The surety must be a civil servant, at least not below Grade level 12 who must swear to an affidavit of means to be verified by the Deputy Court Registrar.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to 4 & 5 May, 2017 for trial and ordered that the suspect be remanded in Prison custody.
