EFCC Arraigns Three Foreigners Over Alleged N12 Billion Oil Theft In Lagos

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a vessel, MT Ostria, and three foreign nationals before Justice Mojisola Dada at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos.

It was gathered that the suspects were arrested over the alleged theft of over 25 million litres of petrol, worth about N12 billion, belonging to NNPC Retail Limited.

The defendants, Captain Raymundo A. Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin, and Vincent Wayas, were arraigned on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, facing a four-count charge involving conspiracy and stealing.

According to the charges, the trio allegedly conspired to steal 25,354,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in January 2024, in violation of Sections 411 and 280 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, punishable under Section 287 of the same law.

One of the counts stated that the defendants, along with MT Ostria, conspired to steal 13,354,000 litres of PMS belonging to NNPC Retail Limited.

It reads: “MT Ostria, Captain Raymundo A. Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin and Mr. Vincent Wayas sometime in January 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit felony, to wit: stealing of Thirteen Million, Five Hundred and Fifty Four Thousand (13,354,000) litres of Premium Motor Spirit, property of NNPC Retail Limited.”

Another count alleged that they dishonestly took 9,000,000 litres of PMS” on or about January 17, 2024, while a third count alleged theft of 3,000,000 litres of PMS on the same date.

“MT OSTRIA, CAPTAIN RAYMUNDO A. PANALIGAM,CHIEF OFFICER RONENO VILLARI and MR. VINCENT WAYAS on or about 17th January 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court dishonestly took (Nine Million) 9,000,000.00 litres of Premium Motor Spirit Property of NNPC Retail Limited”.

Other count reads: “MT OSTRIA, CAPTAIN RAYMUNDO A. PANALIGAM, CHIEF OFFICER RONENO VILLARI and MR. VINCENT WAYAS sometime on or about 17th January 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court dishonestly took(Three Million) 3,000,000.00litres of Premium Motor Spirit, Property of NNPC Retail Limited”.

All defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The EFCC prosecutor, Bilikisu Buhari, asked the court to set a trial date and keep the defendants in a correctional facility, arguing that they were a flight risk and could abscond if granted bail.

The defence, however, said bail applications had already been filed and urged the court to allow the defendants to continue under the bail conditions previously granted by the EFCC.

Justice Dada ruled that the defendants should remain on the existing EFCC bail conditions and adjourned the case to November 17 and 27, 2025, for the start of the trial.

KanyiDaily also reported how the Federal High Court judges in Lagos sentenced 15 foreign nationals to one year in prison each for their roles in internet fraud and cyber-terrorism.