Alleged 25 Million Petrol Theft: NNPC Witness Turns Against MT Ostria Others











Alleged 25 Million Petrol Theft: NNPC Witness Turns Against MT Ostria Others

By Editor 


Citing Ireporter Online, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, called its second prosecution witness in the ongoing trial involving the vessel MT Ostria and three others over the alleged theft of 25,354,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Retail Limited. TV Networks & Stations


The case is being heard before Justice Mojisola Dada at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos. The defendants, MT Ostria, Captain Raymundo A. Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin, and Vincent Wayas, were earlier arraigned on October 29, 2025, by the anti-graft agency on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing. The charges are said to contravene Sections 411 and 280 and are punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.


During the resumed hearing, the prosecution witness, an official of NNPC, detailed the circumstances that triggered the investigation. Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Bilikisu Buhari, the witness explained that concerns emerged when D. Torros Shipping Limited, the receiving terminal, halted discharge operations due to discrepancies in recorded fuel volumes.



He told the court that the delay initially raised operational concerns due to potential financial implications, but the terminal later clarified that the suspension was caused by a variation between the ship’s discharge figures and the volume recorded at the receiving end.

 This discrepancy, he said, was subsequently reported to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, which escalated the matter to relevant security and regulatory agencies, including the Department of State Services and the EFCC.



The witness further confirmed that he was invited by the EFCC, where he provided a statement and submitted relevant operational documents relating to the transaction. He also confirmed that the submitted documents were generated using the company’s operational systems, which were functional at the material time.

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During proceedings, the prosecution tendered the documents, which were admitted in evidence by Justice Dada. 

The witness also explained the transaction structure between NNPC Retail, NNPC Trading, and NNPC Shipping, identifying NNPC Retail Limited as the ultimate owner of the petroleum cargo in question.

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He referenced a Credit Sales Invoice admitted as Exhibit P4, noting that NNPC Trading confirmed the sale of about 20.3 million litres of PMS transported via MT Ostria, which was nominated from the mother vessel MT Northern Light. According to him, the transaction followed a structured procurement process involving Pro Forma Invoice numbers linked to the commercial documentation of the shipment.


He maintained that the records clearly established the commercial chain of custody and ownership, reinforcing NNPC Retail Limited’s position as the buyer within the company’s operational framework.

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