Chief Magistrate Musa Abdulrasaq Eneye of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Magistrate Court has ordered the 14-day detention of suspected aviation fuel thieves in Kuje Prison. During the hearing, the judge stressed the importance of a thorough investigation prior to arraignment. He stated, “The procedure to arraign suspects without concluding the investigation is incorrect.” His words underscored the necessity of due diligence in the judicial process.
Recall, on November 6, 2024, the Divisional Police Officer of Abuja Airport, SP Umar Sani, led the operation that resulted in 46-year-old Murtala Abdulahi’s arrest for Jet A1 theft. Following Abdulahi’s confession, officers apprehended three additional suspects: 26-year-old Abdulahi Jibril, 25-year-old Kabiru Hassan, and one Habib. Police detained Abdulahi around 3:00 a.m. as he drove a Honda saloon car that contained 50 jerry cans of Jet-A1 fuel.
Police reports state that the suspects siphoned the aviation fuel from an Aerotan Hangar tank at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
The police have impounded the product, valued at approximately N2 million, and are diligently pursuing all leads. Chief Magistrate Abdulrasaq questioned the police’s initial attempt to arraign the suspects prematurely, following procedural guidelines, prompting a withdrawal.
This prompted the police to withdraw their initial motion, as Chief Magistrate Abdulrasaq raised concerns about premature arraignment procedures.
The police subsequently filed an ex parte motion seeking custody of the suspects for 14 days to complete their investigation.
Under Section 329 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), courts can approve a two-week detention period for further investigation.
If required, an extension of 14 days may be granted to facilitate a thorough investigation. Should the police fail to conclude their investigation within this period, the court retains the right to dismiss the case entirely. The suspected aviation fuel thieves have been remanded to Kuje Prison.
A source told NigerianFLIGHTDECK that individuals possibly linked to the suspects may control the aviation fuel storage area involved. The source alleged that previous airport authorities did not adequately address similar criminal activities until the current DPO’s appointment. He added that the enforcement efforts aim to establish accountability within the airport environment.
Furthermore, the suspects offered N500,000 to the DPO and his team to avoid prosecution, but they declined it.
Chief Magistrate Eneye emphasized the court’s commitment to restoring order at the airport. “It is vital to remove miscreants from airport premises to ensure public safety,” he remarked. However, he also asserted that the judiciary would uphold strict adherence to legal standards throughout the proceedings.
