Council boss alleges NSCDC sabotage in trial of bunkering suspect

THE Executive Secretary, Ojodu Local Council Development Area, Ahmed Moyosore Jaji, has expressed displeasure over poor handling of prosecution of a suspected bunkerer in Ogba, Lagos.

It would be recalled that no fewer than 47 kegs of petrol were allegedly seized from a food vendor, who illegally converted his shop opposite Sunday Retail Market, Ogba, to a mini depot for bunkering and illicit marketing of petroleum products. 
 
Jaji, yesterday recounted how the suspect was handed over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the LCDA, when the information got to him that such heinous act was been perpetrated in the neighbourhood.  
“Sometime around July 2015, one Nwevo, who claimed to be a food vendor, was arrested with 47 kegs of 50 litres petrol around Sunday Retail Market, Ogba. Nwevo upon interrogation admitted that he has been engaging in the illicit business for a while. 
 
“According to the suspect, he engaged in the trade due to his dwindling business at that time, adding that he has six shops in the area but unfortunately, those working with him went away with all his fortune and business money, which now made things difficult for him. But to make ends meet, one of his friends introduced him to the business.”
 
Meanwhile, since the arrest of the culprit and eventual handover to the NSCDC, the council boss said nothing has been heard from either of them, adding that he recently started receiving funny telephone calls threatening him to either reopen the shop of the culprit or regret his action.
 
However, Jaji now want a clarification on the efforts of the NSCDC to prosecute the culprit since the suspect now walk around freely and is even threatening to reopen his shop.
 
The discovery and subsequent arrest of the suspect, according to the Executive Secretary, had saved residents from being plunged into serious fire incident that might have ravaged the whole Retail Market and environs. In an SOS message to the authorities of the NSCDC, Jaji is requesting that the release of the suspect be investigated.