The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a vessel, MT Ostria, and three individuals before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, Lagos, over the alleged theft of 25 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) belonging to NNPC Retail Limited.

The accused — Captain Raymundo A. Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin, and Mr. Vincent Wayas — were arraigned alongside the vessel on a four-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

According to the charge sheet, the defendants allegedly conspired to unlawfully take 25,354,000 litres of PMS, an offence contrary to Sections 411 and 280 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and punishable under Section 287 of the same law.

One of the counts reads:

“MT Ostria, Captain Raymundo A. Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin, and Mr. Vincent Wayas sometime in January 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit felony, to wit: stealing of 13,354,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, property of NNPC Retail Limited.”

Another count alleges that the defendants dishonestly took nine million litres of PMS belonging to NNPC Retail Limited on or about January 17, 2024, while a fourth count accuses them of stealing an additional three million litres on the same day.

All defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following their plea, the EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, urged the court to fix trial dates and remand the defendants in a correctional facility, describing them as flight risks.

However, the defence counsel informed the court that formal bail applications had been filed and requested that the defendants be allowed to remain under the administrative bail earlier granted by the EFCC.

In her ruling, Justice Mojisola Dada ordered that the defendants should continue under their existing EFCC bail conditions. The case was adjourned to November 17 and 27, 2025, for the commencement of trial.