A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has sentenced one Jubrin Abubakar to three years’ imprisonment for illegally dealing in petroleum products.

Abubakar was jailed on Tuesday after pleading guilty to one count bordering on illegal dealing in petroleum products.

A statement on Thursday by the Head, Media and Publicity, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, indicated that Abubakar was arrested by officers of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, at the Trans-Amadi area of Port Harcourt.

The statement added that the suspect was apprehended with stolen petroleum products and was handed over to the EFCC for investigation and prosecution.

Having pleaded guilty to the charge, the prosecuting counsel, M.T Ilo, tendered some documents, which were admitted as exhibits.

However, the defence counsel, D.D Ayuba, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stressing that the convict was a first-time offender and had been ‘remorseful’.

Justice Mohammed sentenced Abubakar to three years’ imprisonment with an option of fine of N200,000.

In a related development, troops of Operation Delta apprehended 24 suspected oil thieves and recovered 9,856 barrels of crude oil, 339 million litres of illegally refined diesel, as well as 500,000 litres of kerosene in Delta State.

The operatives also recovered 14 pumping machines, two speedboats and 13 outboard engines from the suspects.

Disclosing this in Abuja on Thursday during a weekly briefing on ongoing security operations by the armed forces, the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, said the troops equally immobilised six illegal refining sites, 11 boats, 52 Gee Pee tanks, 102 metal tanks, 17 dugout pits and 45 ovens during various operations held between January 14 and 20, 2021.

“Also, 24 suspects were arrested, while 14 pumping machines, two speedboats and 13 outboard engines were recovered.

“Additionally, a total of 9,856.1 barrels of stolen crude oil and 1,339,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil as well as 500,000 litres of dual purpose kerosene were recovered,” he added.    ,,