EFCC has charged a vessel and three foreign nationals with stealing millions of litres.
They are accused of taking petrol worth billions belonging to NNPC Retail Limited in Lagos.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has charged a vessel named MT Ostria and three foreign nationals to the Special Offences Court in Ikeja over an alleged theft of Premium Motor Spirit worth about N12 billion.
The accused persons are Captain Raymundo A. Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin and Vincent Wayas. They were brought before Justice Mojisola Dada on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
They are facing a four-count charge that includes conspiracy and stealing. The EFCC alleged that the defendants worked together to take over 25 million litres of petrol belonging to NNPC Retail Limited.
The charge alleged that they stole different quantities of product between January 2024 and January 17, 2024, including over 13 million litres and another nine million litres of PMS in Lagos. The anti-graft agency said the acts were in violation of Lagos Criminal Law.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read.
Prosecuting counsel Bilikisu Buhari asked the court to remand the defendants and to refuse bail, arguing that they may flee.
The defence noted that bail applications had already been filed and asked that they remain under the earlier bail terms given by the EFCC.
Justice Dada agreed that they should continue under their existing bail conditions. The matter was adjourned to November 17 and 27, 2025, for trial to begin.
