Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has sentenced two oil marketers, Mamman Nasir Ali and Christian Taylor, to 14 years imprisonment each for their roles in a N2.2 billion oil subsidy fraud.
The verdict was delivered on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, following a prolonged trial that spotlighted the fraudulent abuse of Nigeria’s Petroleum Support Fund.
The two convicts, alongside their company, Nasaman Oil Services Limited, were re-arraigned on an amended 57-count charge that included conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, forgery, and the use of false documents.
The new charges were filed after further investigations revealed additional incriminating details.
Initially arraigned on a 49-count charge, the defendants faced allegations involving falsified claims of fuel importation.
One of the key charges stated that Nasaman Oil Services Ltd, in concert with Ali, Taylor, and others still at large, conspired to fraudulently obtain N749.99 million from the Federal Government by falsely claiming it was a legitimate subsidy for the importation of over 10 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
They alleged the fuel was procured from SEATAC Petroleum Ltd of the British Virgin Islands and delivered via MT Liquid Fortune.
Another count accused the defendants of falsely obtaining N1.48 billion for a separate claim involving over 20 million litres of PMS, supposedly imported through MT Hellenic Blue and MT Milleura.
The court established that no such transactions ever occurred and that the supporting documents were forged.
Although the defendants pleaded not guilty throughout the proceedings, the court was persuaded by the evidence presented by the prosecution, led by Seiduh Atteh. Witness testimonies and numerous documents were admitted into evidence, painting a clear picture of deliberate deception and economic sabotage.
Justice Dada, in her ruling, condemned the fraudulent acts as a serious affront to Nigeria’s subsidy regime stressed, “The actions of the defendants not only defrauded the government but also deeply undermined the credibility of the Petroleum Support Fund.”
In addition to the 14-year prison terms handed to Ali and Taylor, the judge ordered the forfeiture of various assets and bank accounts traced to the fraud. She also issued arrest warrants for two co-defendants still at large, Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Olabisi Abdul-Afeez.
The journey to justice began years ago when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) uncovered the scam and arraigned the suspects before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of the Lagos High Court. The case was later reassigned to Justice Dada after Justice Onigbanjo recused himself.
With today’s judgment, the court reaffirmed its commitment to accountability in public finance management and sent a strong signal to economic saboteurs benefiting from fraudulent subsidy claims.
