June 22 (THEWILL) — The Federal Government has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to refuse bail to Ugochukwu Lucky Ibekwe, an alleged oil bunkering syndicate leader standing trial on charges of terrorism, pipeline vandalism, illegal refining, and economic sabotage allegedly linked to the deaths of more than 500 persons across parts of the Niger Delta.
The defendant is facing multiple counts alleging that he coordinated a long-running criminal enterprise involving illegal oil bunkering, destruction of petroleum infrastructure, and the operation of unlicensed refineries.
Prosecutors told the court that between 1999 and 2025, Ibekwe allegedly worked with Timi Igbo, Alozye, Obinna Cook, Dozy, Wilfred, Prince Adebayo, and others still at large to operate illegal refining sites and tamper with crude oil pipelines in Imo River community, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.
The Federal Government further alleged that he authorised illegal pipeline tapping operations in exchange for financial gain, including receiving ₦1 million from one Musa Mohammed, and agreeing to a ₦2 million weekly payment arrangement to sustain the illicit activities.
He is also accused of paying ₦2 million into a UBA account belonging to Oliver Amadi, a public officer, allegedly to secure favourable treatment and avoid prosecution.
The prosecution maintained that the alleged activities fall under provisions of Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, punishable under Section 1(17)(a)(b), as well as Section 2 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2017.
A prosecution witness, Uzoma Randle, was cited as alleging that more than 500 deaths occurred across several communities due to oil spills, refinery explosions, and environmental damage linked to the defendant’s alleged operations, which also caused widespread ecological destruction in affected areas.
At the resumed hearing before Justice Salim Ibrahim, defence counsel Damian Okoro, SAN urged the court to grant bail, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case connecting his client directly to the alleged deaths.
He further told the court that Ibekwe is a kidney transplant patient requiring urgent medical attention, insisting that he poses no flight risk and would not interfere with witnesses or evidence if released on bail. He also urged the court to allow his client adequate time to prepare his defence outside custody.
However, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, opposed the bail application, describing the charges as capital offences punishable by death or life imprisonment.
He argued that bail in such cases is only granted in exceptional circumstances, which the defence had failed to establish. He also challenged the medical claim, noting that no credible documentation from a recognised government hospital had been presented before the court.
Oyedepo further expressed concern over witness protection, warning that granting bail could compromise the safety of witnesses expected to testify in the matter, and urged the court to prioritise an accelerated hearing of the case.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Ibrahim adjourned the matter and fixed July 1 for ruling on the bail application as well as the commencement of the substantive trial.
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