N43.291 billion Fuel Subsidy Fraud: Court Restrains Further Arrest Of Matrix Energy MD

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday granted the enforcement of the ?fundamental rights application filed by the Managing Director, Matrix Energy, Mr Aliu Abdulkadir and two others.

In his ruling, Justice Okechukwu Okeke, ordered that Abdulkadir and two others should not be detained illegally over their alleged involvement in the fuel subsidy fraud.

He gave an order restraining the defendants, Attorney-General of the Federation and the Police, from?arresting, harassing or detaining the suspects.

He also added that further investigations into the case must strictly comply with the provisions of the Constitution.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the MD, the Head of Finance and Accounts, Mr Akinde Adewale and the Head of Operation, Oyolola Yusuf,?were?remanded on Oct. 11 following an order by a Magistrate, Martin Owumi, of the Tinubu Magistrates' court.

They were, however, granted bail on Oct.19. Counsel to the applicants, Mr Bode Olanipekun, had filed a fundamental human rights application at the Federal High Court seeking an order for the release of the suspects.

He argued that the applicants had been detained beyond the lawful time allowed, without being charged to court.

The remand order was sequel to an application for remand filed by the Commissioner of Police pursuant to section 264 Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State.

The Police had alleged that they were suspected to have committed the offences of economic sabotage, obtaining money by false pretences, money laundering and forgery as well as stealing of N43.291 billion property of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Mr?Effiong Asuquo, a Superintendent of Police, stated that the suspects obtained the money by pretending that the company had imported and sold 538,74 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit(PMS) during the 2011 fiscal year through 26 transactions.

The police had also said that the fraud was discovered by the presidential committee on the verification and reconciliation of fuel subsidy payments auditors and reported to its special fraud unit, Lagos, for investigation.

“The nature of the criminal act and the huge amount involved in the fraud constitute economic sabotage and capable of undermining the security of Nigeria,’’?he said.

He added that evidence and exhibits were being gathered in the continued investigation and that the suspects going by their enormous money and power would influence or prevent the gathering of evidence if released from custody.

He further argued that the suspects could?escape from the country?if granted bail?and urged ?the court to grant the police?one month within which to conclude investigation. (NAN)