The trial involving the MT Ostria vessel, its MT Ostria crew, and three other defendants accused of stealing more than 25 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) belonging to NNPC Retail Limited resumed on Thursday, November 27, 2025, before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja.
The case, marked ID/26972C/25, was adjourned after the court received testimony from the first prosecution witness, Mr Samuel Jaja, a Petroleum Investigator with Cineri Techniques Limited. His discharge concluded the opening phase of evidence presentation.
Background: Allegations Against MT Ostria Vessel and Crew
The defendants, the MT Ostria vessel, Captain Raymundo A. Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin, and Mr Vincent Wayas, are facing a four-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
They are accused of conspiracy and theft involving 25,354,000 litres of PMS, an offence said to contravene Sections 411 and 280 of the Lagos State Criminal Law (2015) and punishable under Section 287.
One of the charges alleges that the defendants conspired in January 2024 to steal 13,354,000 litres of PMS. Another count claims they “dishonestly took” an additional 9,000,000 litres belonging to NNPC Retail. A separate allegation adds that 3,000,000 litres were also stolen during the same period.
Testimony: How Investigators Documented Activities on the Ostria Vessel
During his testimony, Mr. Jaja explained the technical documents he submitted as exhibits, detailing the inspection and monitoring process before and during the alleged theft.
He said the documents represented “statements of facts” covering all events recorded during the investigation.
Key Documents Presented in Court
Mr. Jaja outlined the following:
- Haulage Reports
He said the haulage report recorded the compartments of the MT Ostria vessel, stating that the total volume documented was 20,350,400 litres. - Remaining on Board (ROB) Report
He described the ROB as equivalent to haulage reports but prepared after line-packing — a process needed to fill the lines before discharge. - ROB After Suspension
This was generated after discrepancies were detected between the shore measurements and the vessel measurements. - Tank Inspection Certificate
A certificate was issued after the tank was inspected and confirmed empty following a suspension. - Shore Tank Quantity Report
Documenting the cumulative volume in tank 1 and tank 6 at the shore facility. - Additional Tank Report
A report capturing events not included in the main tank summary.
“These are statements of fact, covering all the activities recorded. Anything not contained in the primary report is included in the additional sheet,” he said.
MT Ostria Crew: Witness Cross-Examined on Inspection Process
Under cross-examination, Mr. Jaja noted that:
- He conducted the inspection on January 7, 2024, on behalf of a client.
- He signed the Haulage Reports but was not part of the physical haulage team.
- His assignment was to “monitor the discharge of products,” and he was present throughout the process on the MT Ostria vessel.
- He had never met the third defendant before the inspection.
- He was not present when the valves were sealed.
He also said representatives from several organisations were present during the tank inspections, including:
- Taurus
- Cineri Techniques
- NNPC Retail
- Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)
- Department of State Services (DSS)
- Eight Naval Ratings
- Other regulatory personnel
No Water Found in MT Ostria Tank, Investigator Says
Responding to questions about the tank condition, Jaja clarified:
- He did not use dipping rods for measurement but relied on the UTI gauge during discharge.
- He found no water in the vessel’s tank at the time of inspection.
- The tank was “dry and empty,” with no indication of water contamination.
- DSS officials often require UTI or rods to complement inspection procedures.
Asked whether the MT Ostria vessel required water for balancing, he said it “depends,” and he did not test the contents of the balance tank.
He added that NMDPRA would not issue a discharge certificate unless the quantity and quality of PMS matched the bill of lading.
Clarifying the Role of the Inspector in MT Ostria Vessel Discharge
Mr. Jaja defended the integrity of his report, saying all findings had been submitted to the court.
He maintained that:
- His responsibility was to monitor discharge, not physically inspect every tank moment by moment.
- He could not “speak on what happened every second.”
- His report did not indicate any discrepancy in the recorded ROB.
- The tank where ROB was measured was a segregated tank, which explained the absence of water.
When asked whether he acted professionally during the inspection, Jaja insisted:
“I am purely a petroleum inspector.”
MT Ostria Vessel: Legal Proceedings Continue
Following the witness’s testimony, the court adjourned the case to continue hearing the evidence surrounding the alleged theft involving the MT Ostria vessel and its crew.
The trial will determine whether discrepancies in discharge, haulage documentation, and tank measurements point to the alleged theft of millions of litres of PMS, a case with significant financial implications for NNPC Retail Limited.
