A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has reserved ruling until July 1, 2026, on the bail application of Ugochukwu Ibekwe, an alleged oil thief and suspected economic saboteur arrested following intelligence from Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) and other security agencies along the Eastern corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline.

Ibekwe is facing charges of conspiracy, tampering with oil pipelines, unlawful dealing in petroleum products, operating unlicensed refining sites and money laundering.

The Federal Government, through its prosecution team, opposed his bail application during the resumed hearing.

Led by Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the prosecution alleged that the defendant’s activities caused significant economic losses, environmental damage, and contributed to incidents that allegedly led to the deaths of over 500 persons.

The prosecution also alleged that the defendant paid over N2 million into the account of a public official in an attempt to obstruct investigations.

Justice Salim Ibrahim adjourned the matter to July 1, 2026, for ruling on the bail application and other pending motions.

Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, Oyedepo confirmed that parties had agreed to an accelerated hearing of the substantive case to avoid delays.

Court documents showed that Ibekwe was arrested on February 14, 2026, at about 5:30 pm at the Imo River axis in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State by PINL operatives.

A PINL official said the suspect had been on the company’s watchlist for several years and was believed to be a key figure in pipeline tapping and illegal refining activities along the Imo River corridor spanning Rivers and Abia States.

He was later handed over to the Special Prosecution Team of the Office of the National Security Adviser.

The prosecution further alleged that he compromised security personnel, including military officers, to gain access to oil facilities.

His wife was also alleged to have presented forged Certificates of Occupancy as surety during attempts to secure administrative bail.

He remains in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service at Kuje pending the court’s ruling. (LEADERSHIP)

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