BEVERLY HILLS, February 14, (THEWILL) – During his prime, oil and gas baron, Abu Ali Jibia, was easily one of the biggest boys in Delta State. His popularity spread across the Niger Delta region like wildfire. He had a heavy financial war chest and was always on a spending spree. Any event he graced, praise singers sang his praise to the high heaven. His arrival was announced like that of a King. He was considered one of the top players in the booming oil and gas sector.
His reign however came to an abrupt end in October 2013, when he was apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFFC, alongside 10 others over alleged illegal bunkering and sale of allegedly adulterated crude products. His company’s vessel, MT Swordfish, with crude products worth several millions of dollars, was confiscated. Jibia was subsequently charged with five counts bordering on conspiracy, unlawful dealing in Automated Gas Oil, (AGO), popularly called Diesel, unlawful distribution of adulterated petroleum products and dealing in petroleum products that were below expected quality.
In the suit before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court marked FHC/L/216C/2013, the state claimed that the accused had on or about May 22, 2013, at Liberty Jetty, Marina, Lagos, without lawful appropriate license, stored and distributed two barges and two petrol tanker trucks of adulterated Automated Gas Oil (AGO).
After the matter dragged on for longer than expected, the case was eventually dismissed from court over lack of adequate evidence to put him behind bars. The former big-boy is believed to be broke and no longer able to service his service his ostentatious and luxury lifestyle as he was milked dry during the legal tussle and unable to earn from his alleged illicit dealings. Since the dismissal of the court case, the oil baron has recoiled back into his cocoon. He no longer attends social functions.
Sources said: “He now lives from hand to mouth as everything he gathered from illegal dealings in oil and gas was blown away like a knockout. His few friends are gathering funds for him so he could at least pick up from somewhere.”
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