Abu Ali Jibia is one of the biggest boys in the entire Delta State, in fact, his popularity soars to the neighboring states for his deep pockets and not many can compete with his when it comes to spending, He has the money and spent like no tomorrow. He is considered as one of the top players in the oil and gas sector. But SOCIETY REPORTERS gathered all this came to abrupt end in October 2013, when the society big boy was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFFC for alleged illegal bunkering.
As revealed, Abu Jibia was arrested with ten others and has since been charged to court for alleged unlawful and illegal dealing of petroleum products. It was also gathered that his company vessel MT Swordfish worth several millions of dollars was apprehended.
The accused according to our reliable source is facing trial on five counts charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful dealing in Automated Gas Oil, (AGO), popularly called Diesel, unlawful distribution of adulterated petroleum products and dealing in petroleum product that was below expected quality. Before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court the charged marked FHC/L/216C/2013, alleged 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).
The accused persons were also alleged to have at the same place, time and date, dealt in Automated Gas Oil (AGO), which was of less quality expected of the product.
It was hinted by our source that the businessman initially took the matter with a pinch of salt.
That is no longer a story, Society Reporters gathered that the matter has dragged on for a long time than expected which has put holes in the pocket of the former multimillionaire. Our source revealed that Jibia is currently suffering from a reversal of fortune due to millions of naira expended on the matter that has dragged for five years without headway.
The source hinted further that the judge handling the case lambasted the prosecutor for their attitude towards it.
Further information reaching Society Reporters revealed that these misfortunes have led to his disappearance from the social scene and made him succumb to low lifestyle, as many who have encountered him when he used to be a huge spender now refer to him as being allegedly broke and cannot continue to maintain his reckless and flamboyant lifestyle anymore.
SUNDAY ADEBAYO.