Justice A.T Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced Jibrin Abubakar to three years imprisonment for illegal dealing in petroleum products.
Abubakar was jailed on Tuesday, after pleading guilty to one-count charge bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum products contrary to Section 1(1)(a) and punishable under Section 1(17)(a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, M17 of Revised Edition (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria), Act 2007.
In view of his “guilty” plea, the prosecuting counsel, M.T Ilo tendered some documents which were admitted as exhibits.
He prayed the court to convict the defendant accordingly but the defence counsel, D.D Ayuba pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stressing that the convict was a first- time offender and had been “remorseful“.
Justice Mohammed convicted and sentenced Abubakar to three years imprisonment with an option of fine of N200, 000. He ordered that the product in the truck be forfeited to the Federal Government.
Abubakar was arrested by officers of 6 Division Nigerian Army at Trans-Amadi area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State with suspected stolen petroleum product and subsequently handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.