A massive oil theft scandal has surfaced in Lagos as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned a foreign vessel, MT Ostria, and three of its crew members for allegedly stealing more than 25 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) belonging to NNPC Retail Limited.
The defendants, Captain Raymundo A. Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin, and Mr. Vincent Wayas, were brought before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, on a four-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
According to the EFCC, the crew allegedly siphoned millions of litres of petrol between January 2024 and other undisclosed dates in Lagos waters.
The offences, the anti-graft agency said, contravene Sections 411 and 280 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and are punishable under Section 287 of the same law.
In one of the counts, the vessel and its crew were accused of conspiring to steal 13,354,000 litres of petrol, while another count alleged the theft of 9,000,000 litres, and yet another, 3,000,000 litres, all said to be property of NNPC Retail Limited.
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The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Prosecuting counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, urged the court to deny bail, arguing that the accused posed a flight risk and could abscond since “they have nothing to lose.”
But the defence countered, noting that the EFCC had already granted bail during investigation and that the defendants had complied with all conditions.
Justice Dada agreed with the defence, ruling that the accused persons should remain on their existing EFCC bail terms.
The judge then adjourned the case to November 17 and 27, 2025, for trial to commence.
The case underscores Nigeria’s deepening struggle with large-scale fuel theft, a crime that continues to drain billions from the nation’s oil sector despite intensified surveillance and enforcement efforts.
