By Innocent ANABA
Lagos – A Federal High Court sitting  in Lagos, granted bail to three Chinese nationals, who were arraigned before the court for allegedly tampering with the pipelines of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

Trial judge in the matter, Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako, granted bail to the foreigners in the sum of N1 million each and two sureties in like sum.

The foreigners, Guan Mang, Tony Yang and Lu Yandi, were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EEFC,  on a four-count charge. The accused persons were alleged to have willfully and maliciously tempered with NNPC underground pipeline of refined petroleum with the intention to transport it.

The preferred against the accused persons, alleged that they on January 13,  “at Road 20, Block  11 Diamond Estate Isheri Lagos,  conspired and carried 1,100 litres petroleum without lawful authority and the lenience to do so.”

The accused persons,  pleaded not guilty to charge, after an interpreter interpreted the charge to them.

Defence counsel, yesterday, had prayed the court to admit the accused persons to bail, but same was opposed by the EFCC.

But the court in its ruling, admitted the accused persons to bail, while trial in the matter was adjourned till May 23 for trial