Oil theft appeal court upholds foreigners jail sentence

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Oil Theft Appeal Court Upholds Foreigners' Jail Sentence

The Court of Appeal in Nigeria has upheld the jail sentence of two foreigners, a Nigerian and a Ghanaian, who were convicted of oil theft. The two men, identified as Chukwudi Nwosu and Emmanuel Osei, were arrested in 2019 for stealing crude oil from a pipeline in the Niger Delta region.

The court, in a unanimous decision, dismissed their appeal and upheld the 10-year jail sentence handed down by a lower court. The judge, Justice Olabisi Iyiola, ruled that the evidence presented against the defendants was sufficient to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The prosecution had alleged that the two men, along with others, conspired to steal crude oil from the pipeline, which belongs to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The stolen oil was valued at over N100 million (approximately $250,000).

The defense had argued that the evidence against the defendants was circumstantial and that they were not present at the scene of the crime. However, the court rejected these arguments, stating that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to link the defendants to the crime.

The court also ordered the defendants to pay a fine of N10 million (approximately $25,000) each.

This ruling is seen as a significant victory for the Nigerian government in its efforts to combat oil theft, which has been a major problem in the country for years. Oil theft has resulted in significant financial losses for the government and has also contributed to environmental degradation in the Niger Delta region.