Lagos, October 30, 2025
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a vessel, MT Ostria, alongside three individuals before the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, over an alleged theft of more than 25 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, belonging to NNPC Retail Limited.
The defendants — Captain Raymundo A. Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin, and Mr. Vincent Wayas — were charged alongside the vessel on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants were alleged to have conspired to steal more than twenty-five million litres of PMS, offences said to contravene Sections 411 and 280 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and punishable under Section 287 of the same law.
All defendants, upon arraignment, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their plea, the prosecuting counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, urged the court to set a trial date and remand the defendants in a correctional facility. Buhari opposed the granting of bail, arguing that the defendants posed a flight risk, especially as they had “nothing to lose” should they abscond from trial.
However, the defence counsel informed the court that bail applications had already been filed and requested that the defendants be allowed to continue under the existing bail conditions previously granted by the EFCC.
In her ruling, Justice Mojisola Dada ordered that the defendants continue on the existing EFCC bail conditions. The judge subsequently adjourned the case to November 17 and 27, 2025, for the commencement of trial.
The case underscores the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to combat large-scale petroleum product theft and economic sabotage within Nigeria’s maritime and oil sectors.
