EFCC nabs 3 Chinese nationals, seal 90,000-litre illegal oil refinery underground tank in Ogun

*Officials of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission reveal what the combined team uncovered during a visit to the illegal oil-refining facility located at Ogere-Remo, in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, South-West region

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Sequel to the recent whistleblowing and intelligence that exposed what investigators described as a well-fenced, crude but illegal technically sophisticated oil refinery in Ogun State, South-West region, a combined team of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has visited the facility located at Ogere-Remo, in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The NMDPRA and EFCC joint inspection located the illegal oil refinery reportedly occupying over three hectares of land in the area.

NMDPRA Aand EFCC top officials during the visit to the illegal oil-refining facility in Ogun State

ConsumerConnect gathered the combined inspection team discovered underground tanks believed to have been used for heating and processing sludge oil, waste products from refining, and substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), otherwise known as diesel.

The NMDPRA officials on the team subsequently sealed off the facility during the inspection, and operatives of the EFCC arrested three suspects in the process.

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Speaking during the inspection, Dr. Atilola Akinyemi, Coordinator of NMDPRA, in Ogun State, said the facility was a complete illegality with no permit from any regulatory authority.

Akinyemi affirmed that the underground storage facility behind the site has an estimated capacity of more than 90,000 litres, with underground heating systems, hydrants for cooling, locally fabricated tanks and silos for separation, according to report.

The Coordinator of NMDPRA in Ogun also stated: “This facility you see here is very crude and completely illegal. This is not a refinery by any standard.

“It does not have a permit from any regulatory authority, and its operations are unknown to the relevant authorities.”

He explained: “They appear to be technically skilled people who have deliberately designed this facility to circumvent government regulations.

“When we examine their final product, it may look like diesel to the average person, but we cannot classify it as diesel until laboratory tests have been conducted.”

Akinyemi as well warned that if such adulterated petroleum products find their way into the market, vehicles and engines would be exposed to serious risks.

All products recovered have now been confiscated by the Federal Government, stated he.

In his remarks during the visit, Bawa Usman Kaltungo, EFCC Zonal Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, who led the operation to the facility, revealed that the illegal oil refinery was discovered through whistleblowing.

Kaltungo said: “What we have seen here is an illegal refinery with a complete setup, featuring all the processes through which sludge passes before being converted into what is commonly referred to as diesel.

“Judging by the nature of this facility, it has been operating for years.”

According to him, the same Ogere axis of Ogun State has become a hub of illegal activities by foreign nationals.

He also recalled that 14 Chinese nationals were arrested just a week earlier over illegal lithium processing in a remote location.

The EFCC Zonal Director said: “Some of them had passports, while others did not.

“Even among those who had passports, we discovered that some of their visas had expired about three months earlier.

“Yet, there were still individuals operating there without passports.”

Kaltungo noted that the ultimate owners of the illegal facility, who are based in China, will be brought back to Nigeria to answer for their activities.

Likewise, Mr. Gbolahan Latona, Director of Department of Proceeds of Crime Management at EFCC, emphasised the need for Nigerians to be patriotic, and work collectively, for the development of the country.

Latona quipped: “Imagine allowing saboteurs like these to operate freely and undermine the efforts of legitimate investors like Dangote Refinery. Ultimately, it is Nigerians who will suffer.”

The EFCC Director of Department of Proceeds of Crime Management also stated: “If we genuinely want this country to become better for all of us, we must collectively work together to put an end to these kinds of criminal activities.”

The top official of the anti-graft Commission said after the investigation, the suspects would have their day in court, and the proceeds of crime would be put to meaningful use.

Latona said: “Once investigation has been concluded and sufficient evidence gathered, they will have their day in court.

“That is essentially the process. They will face prosecution, and if convicted, the proceeds of their crimes will be forfeited to the government and subsequently put to appropriate use.”