Nigerian court jails nine for 10 years over crude oil theft

A Nigerian court has sentenced nine individuals to 10 years in prison each for crude oil theft, a verdict the Nigerian Navy hailed as a major victory in its ongoing campaign against economic sabotage. The Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, delivered the judgment on September 14, 2026, convicting the defendants on charges of conspiracy and tampering with an oil pipeline. The convicts were found guilty of stealing crude oil from an oil wellhead identified as ASABOD in the Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The court sentenced them to five years on the first count and 10 years on the second, with the sentences running concurrently, resulting in a 10-year prison term for each individual. The judge, Justice Joy Ikpeme, stated the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The Nigerian Navy, in a statement from the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, welcomed the conviction. The Navy said its personnel arrested the suspects during an intelligence-led operation. The Department of State Services (DSS) subsequently prosecuted the case.