A Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, has remanded 12 suspected crude oil thieves in the Nigerian Correctional Service facility.

The defendants were arraigned on two-count charge and pleaded not guilty.

This was contained in charge no: FHC/ASB/93C/23 between Federal Government of Nigeria as complainant and Cobbina Paul & ORS as defendants. Consequently, the prosecuting counsel, O. F Okai, said in view of the plea of the defendants, he would be applying for a date to commence trial.

“We also apply that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service,” the counsel said.  In his reply, the defendants’ counsel, Paul Ejiga, who made a verbal application for bail, said: “We just came in and we were informed that the matter is coming up for trial.”

Ruling on the application, Justice F.A Olubanjo told the defence to file a formal application for bail. He said: “Please file a formal application for bail. I read the file and I do not think an oral application will suffice even if the prosecution is not opposing.

“Defendants shall be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Service, Ogwashi-Uku. In the event that the defendants file bail application, it is unlikely that this court will be able to attend to them as vacation commences on July 24, 2023.

“The Deputy Court Registrar (DCR) is therefore directed to forward the case file to the vacation court at Port Harcourt if bail applications are filed during the court’s long vacation.”

The judge adjourned to October 26 for trial.