A Lagos Special Offences Court, presided over by Justice Mojisola Dada, has sentenced oil marketers Mamman Ali and Christian Taylor to 14 years imprisonment each for their involvement in a N2.2 billion oil subsidy fraud. The verdict, delivered on Tuesday, also ordered the forfeiture of assets linked to the fraud.
Mamman Ali, a son of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman and ex-minister of education Ahmadu Ali, was convicted alongside Taylor and their company, Nasaman Oil Services Limited. The duo faced a 57-count amended charge of conspiracy, forgery, and obtaining money under false pretences.
The charges included fraudulent claims of importing millions of litres of premium motor spirit (PMS) under the Petroleum Support Fund. One instance detailed their false claim of N749,991,273.36 for importing 10,031,986 litres of PMS, a representation the court found to be entirely fabricated.
Delivering judgment, Justice Dada condemned the actions of the defendants as a betrayal of public trust and an attack on the integrity of Nigeria’s oil subsidy programme. She described the evidence presented by the prosecution, led by Seiduh Atteh, as overwhelming and compelling.
The actions of the defendants not only defrauded the government, Justice Dada declared, but also severely undermined the integrity of the oil subsidy scheme meant to benefit the public.
The case, initially heard by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, was reassigned to Justice Dada following Justice Onigbanjo’s withdrawal. During the trial, the prosecution presented several witnesses and critical documents that established the guilt of the defendants.
In addition to the prison sentence, Justice Dada issued warrants for the arrest of two other suspects in the case, Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Olabisi Abdul-Afeez, who remain at large.