Man, 41, Arraigned For Allegedly Diverting Company’s Jet-A Aviation Fuel Worth N82m

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A 41-year old man, Ehizoba Kelvin, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly diverting company’s aviation fuel worth N82m belonging to  CITA Energies Limited.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 20th September, 2025, at CITA Energies Limited with head office located at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

According to the Police, the suspect and one Moses Ikpom still at large, stole the JET-A Aviation fuel, which was supplied from CITA head office Lagos to Yola office valued the said amount.

However, the company later discovered that the suspects diverted the fuel and sold it at an undisclosed location before the company knew that it was missing.

The matter was reported to the Police at the Airport Command. The suspect was arrested and detained at the Command while his accomplice managed to escape and is now at large.

The Police found him culpable after thorough interrogation and charged him before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.

The charges read:

COUNT 1: “That you, Ehizoba Kelvin ‘m’ and one Moses Ikpom ‘m still at large on the 20th day of September, 2025, at CITA Energies Limited with head office situated at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, in the Ikeja Magisterial district, did conspire together to commit felony to-wit stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.

COUNT 2: “That you, Ehizoba Kelvin ‘m’ and one Moses Ikpom ‘m’ still at large, on the same date and place, in the Ikeja Magisterial district, did steal sixty-two thousand, nine hundred and forty-five litres of JET-A Aviation fuel which was supplied from CITA head office Lagos to Yola office, valued eighty-two million, two hundred and three thousand, eight hundred and sixteen naira (N82, 203, 816.00), property of CITA Energies Limited and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 280 (1) (a) (b) and punishable under Section 287 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

However, he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Philip Ademigbuji, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. Kusanu, granted him bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.

The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.