The Federal Government has arraigned 12 suspected oil thieves in connection with the intercepted Cameroon-bound vessel laden with 150 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil.

The vessel, MT TURA II, was intercepted on July 7 on Escravos Sea in Delta State with 11 Nigerians and one Ghanaian onboard.

The Federal Government arraigned the 12 suspected oil thieves before the Federal High Court in Asaba.

The prosecuting counsel for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, O. F Okai, prayed the court to remand the defendants in the custodial facility of the Nigerian Correctional Service while a date is fix for the commencement of trial.