The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has informed a Federal High Court in Abuja that the military forcefully removed some suspects allegedly involved in oil bunkering from police custody.
This revelation was made by Counsel to the IGP, Idris Mohammed, before Justice James Omotosho during the arraignment of the alleged oil bunkerers.
The initial charge filed by the IGP listed 19 alleged oil bunkerers for prosecution, including MT Harbor Spirit, Muhammad Malik Sidique, Joju Oil and Gas Ltd, and others.
However, in an amended charge, the prosecution brought criminal charges against only MT Harbor Spirit, Muhammad Malik Sidique, and Joju Oil and Gas Ltd.
During the proceedings, Mohammed informed the court that only Muhammad Malik Sidique was present, as the other defendants (4th to 19th) were forcefully taken away by the armed forces during a visit to their custody.
He requested the court to issue a warrant for their arrest.
However, Justice Omotosho questioned Mohammed’s use of the term “at large,” as he had earlier stated that the armed forces took the defendants into custody, which does not align with the definition of being “at large.
The judge instructed the prosecution to either serve the defendants at the military custody or remove their names from the charge sheet.
Mohammed clarified that the police did not hand over the defendants to the military but that they were forcefully taken away.
The defense counsel, Michael Mbanefo, did not oppose the further amendment of the charge but requested administrative bail for Sidique, who has been in custody since his arrest.
The judge declined, stating that the court does not grant administrative bail.
The arraignment of the alleged oil bunkerers was adjourned to March 6.
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