For the third time,Abdulahi, the son of the Ibadan based business tycoon, Alhaji Abdulazeez Alao Arisekola was yesterday arraigned alongside four others over their alleged involvement in N1.1bn fuel subsidy scam.
Abdulahi was earlier arraigned before Justice Habeeb Abiru as well as Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo on a nine count charge for subsidy fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in July, 2012.
In a fresh six-count N1.1 billion theft charge brought against Alao, he was accused alongside Opeyemi Ajuyah, Olanrewaju Olalusi and two companies; Majope Investment Limited and Axenergy Limited before Justice Lateefa Okunnu of the state High Court, Ikeja.
The defendants were arraigned on a six count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, forgery and uttering of docu- ments.
They were said to have conspired amongst themselves on February 14, 2011 to obtain the sum of N1,110,049,444.35 from the Federal Government of Nigeria by falsely claiming that the sum represented subsidy accruing to them under the Petroleum Support Fund, PSF, for the importation into Nigeria of 15,206.733 metric tons of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS),
This according to EFCC is an offence contrary to Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The Commission also accused the oil marketers of obtaining by false pretence the sum of N1,110,049,444.35 from the government on April 18, 2011, by falsely claiming that the sum represented subsidy accruing to them under the Petroleum Support Fund for the importation into Nigeria of 15,206.733 metric tons of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
They were also alleged to have forged a document enitled, “Shore Tank Certificate” dated 22nd of January, 2011 purporting the document to have been issued by an officer of Q & Q Control Services Nigeria Limited, the offence allegedly contravened section 467 of the Criminal Code Cap. C17, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.
They all pleaded not guilty to the offences. However, the court adjourned the case till October 19, 2012 for hearing.