Akin Kuponiyi   
   
 
Five Filipinos; Axel Joseph Gibo Jabone, Juanito Camireno Infantado, Suarin Fernado Alave, Gatila Jaypee Gadayan and Rolando Jose Commendador and four Bangladesh, Zahirul Islam, Islam Shahinul, Islam Rafiqul and Shaikn Shibli Nomany accused of unlawfully dealing in crude oil were today convicted and sentenced to twenty years imprisonment each with option of N20million fine each,by a Federal high court sitting in Lagos south west Nigeria.

Their vessel docked along with them  MT Asteris was ordered to be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria together with crude oil on board of the vessel.
  
In a three count criminal charge number FHC/L/239C/15 filed before the court by the Head Legal and Prosecution Department of Economic and Financial crime Commission(EFCC) Gbolahan Latona it was stated that the convicts on or about  March 27, 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court conspired among themselves to commit an offence to wit: dealing in 3423.097metric tons of crude oil without lawful authority or appropriate license and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(19)(6) of the miscellaneous offence Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under section 17 of the same Act.

It was also alleged that the accused on the same day and time within the jurisdiction of the court without license stored 3, 423. 097 metric tons of crude oil in MT Asteris’ cargo tanks marked 1C,3C and 4C and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 4 of the petroleum Act, Cap P10, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

They all pleaded not guilty to a four count charge leveled against them.
After their plea were taken, the defence counsel, Femi Adegbite applied for their bail and the prosecution did not oppose it.

The trial judge, Justice Buba granted them bail in the sum of N50 millions each with one surety who must be Nigerian, must provide evidence of mean and will also deposit their international passport with the register of the court.
     
The EFCC prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo call seven witnesses and tendered many. exhibits to prove his case while the accused testify for themselves
   
The accused after rigorous trial were fund guilty by the court.
      
In his judgement the presiding judge,Ibrahim Buba said the convicts among sabotuer that has turned Nigeria into laughing stock among the committee of Nations. Nigerians and non Nigerians must respect Nigeria and its laws.
   
Consequently, justice Buba sentenced the convicts to five years on each count of the four counts with option of five million Naira fine on each count. The sentences are to run concurrently, while the option of fine will not.