Again DSS Fails To Produce Ifeanyi Ubah In Court
Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, Capital Oil and Gas boss[/caption]
The Department of State Security, DSS, on Thursday failed to produce the Chairman, Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah before Justice Idris Mohammed at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi Lagos.
The judge adjourned the matter to May 25 to rule on whether it has jurisdiction in hearing the suit after hearing counter affidavits filed by counsel to the 4th and 5th respondents, Peter Okeremodu, and applications from counsel to the 7th and 8th respondents, Kabiru Turaki.
The applications challenged the jurisdiction of the court.
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“We urge this court to dismiss the application of the applicant because its a ploy to distract the agencies ongoing investigation,” said Mr. Okeremodu.
Ifeanyi Ubah was arrested by the country’s secret police about a fortnight ago over allegations of theft of petrol kept by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, in his tank farm in Lagos. The product was valued at over N11 billion.
The DSS said Ubah’s action amounted to economic sabotage, with “capacity to negatively impact on national economy”.
“In furtherance of his gimmicks to undermine the government and people of Nigeria, he has incited members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), a critical player in the downstream sub-sector of the Petroleum Industry, to refuse/stop the lifting of products.
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“This is part of his plans to curry their sentiments and cause them to embark on strike and also stage protests in his favour with the ulterior motive of arm-twisting the NNPC to abandon the cause of recovering the stolen products. The implications of this on law and order is, in fact, a common knowledge. It is consequent upon this that the Service arrested and will prosecute him forthwith.
“The public is hereby reassured that the Service will collaborate with appropriate agencies to ensure that the mischievous activities of any person or group(s) to engage in illegal activities will not affect the effective distribution of products across the country. It will also support such agencies to bring to book individuals or companies involved in any criminal act that undermines the nation’s economy,” the statement added.
