A FEDERAL High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, closed the case of the prosecution in the on-going trial of suspected pipeline vandals, who allegedly killed nine policemen in Arepo, a suburb town in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

The trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, closed the case of the prosecution following an application by the defence team, though the prosecution was not represented by any counsel. The development prompted the judge to grant the defence’s application.

The court, meanwhile, adjourned till November 6, 2014 for hearing of a no-case submission which the defence said it was preparing to file.

The suspects, among them a 54-year-old woman, Susan Viana, are standing trial on a 14-count charge of conspiracy, pipeline vandalism, oil theft and unlawful killings.

The suspects, some of whom were said to have been arrested on May 29 by men of the Joint Task Force in Ondo State, are Felix Yayu (M), 25; Ijoufaya (M), 42; Yakubu Ebiwei (M), 45; Augustine Ebiwei (M), 28; Tamara Dembofa (M), 32; Owei Atile (M), 37; Agbara Tiewei (M), 43; Rufus Godwin (M), 45; Tiery Koiyetin (M), 22; Ebis Sobijoh (M) 22; Ibori Lawrence (M) 45; Eberebu Ibori (M), 30; Atinuke Odewale (F), 42; Fatai Ishola (M), 32; Ahmed Bashorun (M), 42; Odewale Waheed (M), 43; Susan Viana (F), 54; Tuesday Filatei (M), 36; Yeiyah Yellow (M), 28 and Ismail Abdullahi (M), 47.

The accused were alleged in the charge, to be involved in the oil bunkering incident at Arepo, near Ikorodu, Lagos State, which happened on May 24, 2014.

The suspects were alleged to have stormed the Arepo area in about 14 speed-boats to carry out an illegal oil bunkering deal.

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