A Nigerian court has sentenced three Indian nationals to 15 years imprisonment for their involvement in oil theft, local media reported today.
The convicts were identified as Ajay Bhatiya (owner of a vessel), Sailesh Kumar Singh, (the captain of the vessel) and Chadrashekar Sharma. Bhatiya is still absconding.
The three were among 12 oil theft suspects, including eight other Indians, one Ghanaian and a Nigerian arrested aboard the Vessel - MT Akshay - in November, 2012, the Nigerian Tribune reported today.
According to a statement dated May 14, 2014, the suspects were arraigned on a two-count charge before Justice Lambo Akanbi on January 22, 2013.
The court found them guilty of the first count charge, which bordered on conspiracy and convicted them accordingly. The other accused were discharged and acquitted of the two-count charges.
