Court sentences nine to 10 years imprisonment for oil theft in Akwa Ibom

The Federal High Court sitting successful Uyo connected Monday, September 14, 2026, convicted and sentenced 9 persons to 10 years’ imprisonment for lipid theft wrong Akwa Ibom territorial waters.

The convicts were prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) successful the authorities pursuing their apprehension and handover by the Nigerian Navy connected February 7, 2025.

They were arrested portion siphoning crude lipid from an lipid wellhead known arsenic ASABO-D successful Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

The convicts see Michael Mebawondu, Owei Godspower Mitin, Godspromise Amigoe and Opuowei Siarerebo.

Others are Gerekumo Panyan, Newyear Orimisan, Victor Ita, Egbayelo Innocent Oluwatomisin and Ayakimeze Alexander Amagbopere.

Delivering judgment, the presiding judge, Justice Joy Ikpeme, noted that the prosecution had proved its lawsuit against the accused persons beyond tenable uncertainty and sentenced them to 10 years’ imprisonment without an enactment of fine.

Meanwhile, nary less than 21 suspected lipid thieves are presently undergoing assorted stages of prosecution for the aforesaid offence successful Akwa Ibom State.

Court sentences 9 to 10 years imprisonment for lipid theft successful Akwa Ibom