The Federal Government Taskforce on Illegal oil activities has arraigned nine suspects accused of vandalising oil pipelines in the Ogidiama community, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The suspects—Anthony Peter, Nelson Joshua, Stanley Kio, Adekunle Godspower, William Don-Pedro, Aminu Suleiman, and three others—were brought before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Monday on a two-count charge of conspiracy and tampering with pipelines.
Security agencies arrested the accused on March 11, 2025, and they pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The case was adjourned to May 6 and 7 with the suspects remanded at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre pending trial.
Recall that in a bid to curb the persistent issue of crude oil theft, the Federal Government established an interagency security team comprising members from the police, EFCC, Civil Defence, the Ministry of Justice, the Army, and the Navy.
This team is tasked with apprehending and prosecuting pipeline vandals to the fullest extent of the law.
Under the new measures, convicted offenders face life imprisonment, with no option for plea bargaining.
