The Federal Government Taskforce on Illegal Oil Activities has arraigned nine individuals charged with vandalizing oil pipelines in the Ogidiama community, located in the Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The accused, Anthony Peter, Nelson Joshua, Stanley Kio, Adekunle Godspower, William Don-Pedro, Aminu Suleiman, and three others, were made to appear before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Monday, facing two counts of conspiracy and pipeline tampering.
According to reports, security forces apprehended these individuals on March 11, 2025, and they have pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
The proceedings have been postponed to May 6 and 7, with the suspects currently held at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre while awaiting trial.
In an effort to address the ongoing challenge of crude oil theft, the Federal Government has formed an inter-agency security team that includes representatives from the police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Civil Defence, the Ministry of Justice, the Army, and the Navy.
This team is responsible for capturing and prosecuting those involved in pipeline vandalism to the fullest extent of the law.
As part of the new regulations, individuals found guilty of these offenses may face life imprisonment, with no possibility of plea bargaining.
Speaking after the court proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Frederick O. Dibang, stated: “We just arraigned nine defendants before the Federal High Court in Rivers State on charges of conspiracy and pipeline tampering. The court denied their oral bail application and ordered them remanded pending a formal hearing.”
Dibang warned that “This is a lesson to those tampering with pipelines—there is now a specialized force dedicated to ending illegal oil activities. The era of impunity is over.”
He also cautioned security agencies, saying, “When suspects are arrested with exhibits, those exhibits must be preserved. Destroying evidence undermines prosecutions.”
The case is to continue in May 2025 as authorities intensify efforts to combat oil sector sabotage.
