The {Economic} and {Financial} Crimes Fee, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, introduced its second prosecution witness, PW2, within the ongoing trial of a vessel, MT Ostria, and three others over an alleged theft of 25,354,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, belonging to the Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Company, NNPC Retail Restricted, earlier than Justice Mojisola Dada of the Particular Offences Court docket sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
The defendants, MT Ostria, Captain Raymundo A. Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin and Vincent Wayas, have been arraigned by the EFCC on October 29, 2025, on a four-count cost bordering on conspiracy and stealing, an offence opposite to Sections 411 and 280, and punishable below Part 287 of the Felony Regulation of Lagos State, 2015.
On the resumed listening to on Tuesday, the witness, who’s a consultant of NNPC, testified on the transactions involving MT Ostria and the occasions that led to the EFCC’s investigation.
Led in proof by the prosecution witness, Bilikisu Buhari, the PW2 informed the courtroom that operational considerations arose when D. Torros Delivery Restricted, the receiving terminal, known as for a suspension of discharge actions.
“From our operational perspective, we have been frightened about any delay that might trigger extra value on the operation. We have been knowledgeable by Torros that the suspension was resulting from variations in portions between the ship’s discharge determine and Torros’ obtained determine,” he stated.
He additionally said that upon elevating the alarm, Torros notified the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, of the discrepancy.
In keeping with him, the NMDPRA escalated the matter to related authorities businesses, together with the Division of State Providers, DSS.
The witness, who stated Torros additionally reported the case to the EFCC, additional said that “ I used to be invited by the EFCC. I used to be interviewed and I wrote an announcement relating to the transaction on the time. We additionally submitted some paperwork to the EFCC with respect to the operation,”.
He confirmed that the paperwork have been generated utilizing his firm’s laptop computer and printer, which have been in good situation on the time.
The prosecution counsel, Buhari , tendered the paperwork, they usually have been admitted in proof by the courtroom.
Explaining the connection between the NNPC subsidiaries, the witness stated there was an inside framework governing transactions amongst NNPC Retail, NNPC Buying and selling, and NNPC Delivery.
Referring to Exhibit P4, the Credit score Gross sales Bill issued to NNPC Retail Restricted, he recognized NNPC Retail as “the final word proprietor of the petroleum merchandise allegedly stolen.”
The doc, he famous, confirmed receipt and was signed by NNPC Buying and selling for the sale of about 20.3 million litres of PMS by way of MT Ostria, which was the vessel nominated by NNPC Retail from the mom vessel, MT Northern Gentle.
“This doc was issued as a part of the NNPC Retail and Buying and selling Treaty framework, which requires that requests for product or cargo be made by way of an organization portal the place gross sales quotations are generated.
“This Credit score Gross sales Bill carries two gross sales citation numbers additionally known as PFI (Professional Forma Bill) numbers: 20001584 and 20001601. These numbers are to be indicated on the industrial paperwork regarding this operation.”
He added that the paperwork established the industrial chain of the transaction and confirmed NNPC Retail Restricted as the client of the cargo, according to the businesses’ inside framework.
Justice Dada adjourned the matter until Wednesday, April 15, 2026 for continuation of cross- examination.