Alleged 25 Million Litres Petrol Theft: NNPC Witness Testifies Against MT Ostria, Others

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, presented its second prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of a vessel, MT Ostria, and three others over the alleged theft of 25,354,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), better known as petrol or fuel, belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Retail Limited.

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The trial is before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

Naija News reports that the defendants, MT Ostria, Captain Raymundo A. Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin, and Vincent Wayas, were arraigned by the anti-graft agency on October 29, 2025, on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.

According to the EFCC, the alleged offences contravene Sections 411 and 280 and are punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

NNPC Raises Alarm Over Discrepancies

At the resumed hearing, the prosecution witness, an official of NNPC, narrated the sequence of events that led to the investigation.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, the witness disclosed that concerns arose when D. Torros Shipping Limited, the receiving terminal, ordered a halt to discharge operations.

“From our operational perspective, we were worried about any delay that could cause additional cost on the operation. We were informed by Torros that the suspension was due to variations in quantities between the ship’s discharge figure and Torros’ received figure,” he told the court.

The witness further explained that the discrepancy prompted immediate action by the receiving terminal.

According to him, Torros reported the matter to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, which in turn escalated it to relevant government agencies, including the Department of State Services.

He added that the EFCC was also notified of the development.

“I was invited by the EFCC. I was interviewed and I wrote a statement regarding the transaction at the time. We also submitted some documents to the EFCC with respect to the operation,

” he said.

Court Admits Documentary Evidence

The witness confirmed that all documents submitted to the EFCC were generated using the company’s operational equipment, which he said was in good condition at the time.

Following this, the prosecution counsel tendered the documents before the court, and Justice Dada admitted them in evidence.

Providing insight into the transaction framework, the witness explained the relationship between NNPC Retail, NNPC Trading, and NNPC Shipping.

Referring to a Credit Sales Invoice admitted as Exhibit P4, he identified NNPC Retail Limited as “the ultimate owner of the petroleum products allegedly stolen.”

The document, he noted, showed that NNPC Trading confirmed the sale of approximately 20.3 million litres of PMS transported via MT Ostria, a vessel nominated from the mother vessel, MT Northern Light.

“This document was issued as part of the NNPC Retail and Trading agreement framework, which requires that requests for product or cargo be made through a company portal where sales quotations are generated.

“This Credit Sales Invoice carries two sales quotation numbers, also called PFI (Pro Forma Invoice) numbers: 20001584 and 20001601. These numbers are to be indicated on the commercial documents relating to this operation,” the witness added.

He stressed that the documents clearly established the commercial chain of the transaction, identifying NNPC Retail Limited as the buyer in line with the company’s internal operational structure.

Justice Dada subsequently adjourned the matter till Wednesday, April 15, 2026, for continuation of cross-examination.