The accused are Peter Loco, Isaac Okpono, Abagbo Achika, Kulubu Itieni, Sode Junior and Ado Sikiru.

They are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and illegal distribution of petroleum products.

They pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following an oral application for their bails by defence counsel, Mr John Owoyemi, Justice Babs Kuewumi, admitted the accused to a bail of N500, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

He added that one of the sureties must be a civil servant not below grade level 12, while the other surety must be a blood relation of the accused and must have a landed property in Lagos. Earlier, Prosecutor Rita Ezeilo, told the court that the accused committed the offence on June 1.

She said they were arrested at Ilero near Seme border in Badagry, Lagos State, for dealing in petroleum products without lawful authority or licence.

Ezeilo said the sale of the products was a contravention of Section 7 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Laws of the Federation, 2004. The judge adjourned the case to Sept. 7 for trial

Source: Vanguard