A witness in the on-going trial of Dodo Chilla Bulus, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, has told the court how the commander of Task Force on Pipeline Vandalism conspired with criminals to break crude oil pipeline and siphon product.
The presiding Judge of the Federal High, Justice E. S Chukwu, sitting in Abuja on Tuesday was told how Mr Bulus aided the smooth operation of pipeline vandals and oil thieves, the same criminals he was mandated to arrest as commander of task for on pipeline vandalism.
A statement by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission,EFCC, signed by Wilson Uwujaren, its Head, Media and Publicity stated: “At the resumed hearing of the case on Tuesday, in Abuja, Lolade Longe, an operative of the EFCC who was led in evidence by the commission’s counsel, Elizabeth Ayodele, told the court that the accused person served as informant to vandals.
Bulus is currently being prosecuted by the EFCC on a 2-count charge bordering on oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
The statement quoted Lolade as saying: “I interrogated the suspect. He told me and admitted in his statement that he was the Commander of the Task Force, Pipeline Vandalism. He said that he received a text message from his boss, ACP Ibadim Friday informing him that vandals are likely to operate along Abaji Road and that he should be at alert.
“Instead of following up the message with action, Dodo Bulus forwarded the same message sent to him by his boss to one Joseph Amaechi, a prime suspect in this matter before your Lordship,” Lolade said.
She further disclosed that the accused person received the sum of N1.1m (one million, one hundred thousand naira) from the said Joseph Amaechi as gratification for the service rendered.
It would be recalled that at the last adjourned date, February 18, 2014, the first prosecution witness, Mailafia Yakubu told the court how he led a team of investigators to arrest the vandals and their accomplice, Dodo Chilla Bulus.
Bulus who had been in prison custody since his arraignment on February 18, 2014 was granted bail by Justice Chukwu in the sum of N10m (ten million naira) with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must have landed properties
within Abuja Municipal Council and must swear to an affidavit of means. The sureties must be directors in any federal establishment or Officers not below the rank of an Assistant Commissioner of Police.
The case has been adjourned to March 10, 2014 for continuation of
trial.
