Benin High Court on Monday remanded four persons in police custody over alleged illegal oil bunkering.
The presiding judge, Justice Williams Azeigbemhin said the matter should be referred to the Federal High Court.
Azeigbemhin said the Federal High Court is in an appropriate position to entertain the matter.
The defendants, whose pleas were not taken, are Ayemoba John, Orji Kalu, Isaac Ikpedide and Haruna Safi.
The prosecutor, Polycap Odion, told the court that they were arraigned for conspiracy, illegal crude bunkering, stealing, illegal possession of firearms and tampering with oil pipelines.
He said the defendants and others at large on March 22 at Epeko Community Forest in Etsako Central Local Government, allegedly tampered with an oil pipeline.
He alleged that the defendants unlawfully carried out illegal crude oil bunkering activities from NNPCL’s pipeline.
He said the offence contravened Sections 412 (1) of the Criminal Law of Edo State LaW, 2022.
He also said the offence contravened Section 7 (a) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendants in the correctional centre pending the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution on the matter.
The judge granted the plea of the prosecutor. (NAN)
