The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday re-arraigned seven oil marketers before a Lagos High Court for fuel subsidy fraud.

The oil marketers, who appeared in two batches before the judge, had earlier been arraigned before Justice Habeeb Abiru, last year.

But Mr. Abiru's elevation to the Court of Appeal, last November, meant that the cases are reassigned to another judge.

Walter Wagbatsoma, Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi, Fakuade Ebenezer, Ezekiel Ejidele, and Ontario Oil and Gas were accused of fraudulently obtaining N1.9 billion from the subsidy scheme for the purported importation of 39.2 million litres of petrol.

The second batch involving Adamu Maula, George Ogbonna, and Emmanuel Morah were charged, alongside their companies, Downstream Energy Sources Ltd. and Rocky Energy Ltd; with fraudulently obtaining N789.6 million allegedly for the same purpose.

All the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

While urging the court for an accelerated hearing of the case, Rotimi Jacobs, the EFCC counsel, accepted that the accused continue to enjoy their bail earlier granted by Mr. Habiru.

Lateefat Okunnu, the trial judge, fixed May 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 for further hearing of the case. The judge fixed May 8, 9 and 10 for the matter involving Mr. Wagbatsoma and others.