COURT SENTENCES Oil MARKETERS TO 14 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR ₦2.2BN OIL SUBSIDY FRAUD 27-05-25
By Sadiq Aminu In a landmark judgment on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja convicted and sentenced two oil marketers, Mamman Nasir Ali and Christian Taylor, to 14 years imprisonment each over a ₦2.2 billion oil subsidy fraud.
The judgment brings a dramatic close to a prolonged trial that began with their initial arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and culminated in their re-arraignment on March 26, 2025, on an amended 57-count charge.
The duo was re-arraigned alongside their company, Nasaman Oil Services Limited, following fresh revelations in the case.
They faced charges ranging from conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, obtaining money under false pretence, forgery, and the use of false documents.
The EFCC, led by counsel Seiduh Atteh, accused the defendants of fraudulently obtaining ₦2.2 billion from the Federal Government under the petroleum subsidy scheme on or about September 9, 2011.
They were said to have presented forged documents, including a falsified “Gasoline Analysis” report for MT Overseas Limar, purportedly issued by Saybolt Concremat.
Justice Dada found the evidence presented by the prosecution compelling, ruling that the actions of the defendants not only defrauded the government but also undermined the integrity of Nigeria’s oil subsidy programme.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered the forfeiture of identified assets and accounts linked to the fraud, while also issuing warrants for the arrest of Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Olabisi Abdul Afeez, two other suspects still at large.
Legal observers say the conviction marks one of the most significant rulings in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to curb systemic corruption in the oil sector.