*As court adjourns hearing on bail application of four accused former staff members to January 14, 2025
Emadeb Energy Services Limited, a leading player in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, has condemned the criminal activities that recently took place at its retail outlet in Mabushi, Abuja.
In a press statement consequent upon the arraignment of four staff members allegedly involved in the crime, the company emphasized that the breach of trust was limited to the Mabushi outlet.
it stated that the company’s broader operations remained committed to upholding integrity and strict compliance with extant Nigerian laws regulating the industry.
The company’s management reacted quickly upon discovering that a number of employees at the Mabushi outlet had been involved in coordinated illegal activities, including unauthorized bulk sale of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and the diversion of trucks laden with PMS.
This breach of trust was in clear violation of both company policy and Nigerian laws on economic sabotage.
The four former staff members of the company allegedly involved in the criminal conspiracy were Mr. Luke Olowosaiye, the former Station Manager; Mr. Joshua Alatishe, the former Operations Manager; Mr. Adesoji Omole, the former Station Accountant, and Mr. Temitope Soyege, the former Fleet and Logistics Manager listed as 1st to 4th defendants respectively in the suit that came up on Monday, December 9, 2024 before Justice Ekerete U. Akpan of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Attempts by their counsel to move their bail applications fell through as the prosecution counsel, Barrister E.A. Inegbenoese pleaded with the court that his counter affidavit in which he responded to the defendant counsel’s application for bail could not be waived as it contained his argument against their bail application.
While the defence counsel argued that they had yet to be served, the prosecution counsel informed the court that he filed his counter affidavit last Friday, December 6, 2024. He brought it out before the court and by the leave of the judge, counsel to the four defendants were served right there in the court.
But the move by the defence counsel, who were apparently desperate to secure the bail of their clients who had been in police custody since October 4, 2024 ahead of Christmas celebration, failed. They tried to nudge the judge to hear their bail application but he (the judge) said he needed to read the processes filed by the prosecution.
The defence counsel prayed the judge to stand down the proceeding to enable him read the processes and consider the grant of the bail application, but the judge said he did not have the luxury of time to do so and advised parties to accede to an adjournment’
Following the insistence of the defence counsel, Justice Akpan said that if the defence counsel felt so strongly that their bail application was urgent, they could apply to the Chief Judge to move it before a vacation judge. They did not go with the judge’s advise, submitting to his ruling in the matter.
Justice Akpan subsequently adjourned the hearing of the bail application to January 14, 2025 and ordered that the accused be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the hearing of the bail application.
As the four accused persons stepped out of the court, they took out their anger on a photojournalist with Vanguard newspaper, Mr Gbemiga Olamikan, who was trying to take their pictures.
One of them, Temitope Soyege, went physical, trying to attack the photojournalist while a family member struggled to wrench the camera from him (the photojournalist). It took the intervention of security agents to bring calm to the court premises that had become rowdy.
Meanwhile, Emadeb Energy Services has expressed its deep concerns over the actions of these individuals, underscoring the company’s commitment to operational transparency, ethical business practices, and the safety of the Nigerian public as a top priority.
It confirmed that it had taken immediate measures to strengthen internal controls and ensure that such breaches did not recur, stating that the breaches and illegal activities also included tampering with dispensing pumps, falsifying accounting records, and attempting to cover up the scale of the fraud.
The company said that it cooperated fully with the authorities by providing all necessary documentation and evidence to aid the investigation.
Media Consultant to Emadeb Energy Services Limited, Mr Sufuyan Ojeifo, said “It is important to note that these actions were confined to the Mabushi outlet, as all other retail outlets and operations across the country continue to operate within the full legal and regulatory framework.
“Emadeb Energy Service Limited deeply regrets that a small group of individuals misused their positions and betrayed the trust placed in its employees.
“However, Emadeb Energy Services Limited wishes to assure its customers, stakeholders, and the public that these actions do not reflect the values or operational standards of the company as a whole.
“The company has also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all personnel are held to the highest standards of accountability.”
According to Ojeifo, “In light of these events, Emadeb Energy Services Limited is undertaking a comprehensive review of its internal security protocols and employee training programmes to further safeguard against any future misconduct.
“Emadeb Energy Services Limited remains dedicated to providing Nigerians with high quality, reliable, and affordable petroleum products; and, while always operating with the highest level of integrity, it will continue to take all necessary steps to protect its customers and the communities it serves.
“As the legal proceedings move forward, Emadeb Energy Services Limited is confident that justice will prevail, and the company will continue to uphold its reputation as a trusted leader in the Nigerian oil and gas sector”.
