The trial of six vandals who allegedly damaged the petroleum pipeline in Arepo, Ikorodu, Lagos State, will today resume at the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.
The accused had on the 5th of September, 2012 at about 6:00 p.m., at Arepo, conspired to vandalise an oil pipeline nearby and murdered three employees of the NNPC while trying to escape.
Subsequently, they had been docked in court on the 29th of November, 2012, where they all pleaded not guilty to a seven count charge preferred against them by the police.
The absence of the prosecutor, ACP Friday Ibadin had stalled the last proceedings on the 18th of December, 2012 and presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Idris had ordered that all six men remain in prison pending the hearing of their bail applications.
The suspects include Oluwole Reuben, a 60-year-old community leader, Inerepamu Ijebu Joel (25), John Aye Isaiah (28), Ineye Okposa (40), Timi Gunugunu (22) and Saheed Olisa Mudashiru (25).
The prosecutors say that the offences contravened sections 3(6), 7(a), 7(b), and 17(a) of the Miscellaneous Offence Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The offence of murder also contravened Section 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap C 38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.